PENNY-WISE
© The Official Publication of Early American Coppers, Inc.
Copyright 2012 Early American Coppers, Inc. All Rights Reserved
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Club Officials
74
Introduction by the Editor
75
Original Articles
Michael Spurlock
76
Craig Sholley
80
Bob Kebler
89
Meetings and Membership Notes
Nathan Markowitz
97
Bryan Yamasaki
97
David Johnson
98
Mike Spurlock
99
Ray Williams
100
Nathan Markowitz
101
Chuck Heck
102
Scott Barrett
102
103
103
104
Mike Packard
105
David Consolo
106
Rod Burress
108
Miscellaneous Collector Notes
Bob Grellman
109
Bill Groom
110
Mark Borckardt
112
Michael S. Shutty, Jr.
112
Howard Spencer Pitkow
114
Steven Ellsworth
120
Hugh Bodell
123
Letters to the Editor
124
Swaps and Sales
124
Updated Estimates of Rare Half Cents
The Evolution of US Minting Technology 1792-1837
Part IV : The Mechanization of the Mint
American Half Cents-The Little Half Sisters : The
First 100 Invoices
The Night Before EAC
Region 7 EAC Meeting at Long Beach
2012 EAC Convention Large Cent Happening
2012 EAC Half Cent Happening Varieties
Colonial Happening at EAC, Buffalo
Buffalo 2012 EAC Educational Program
Boys of ’94 in Buffaly NY - May 2, 2012
Additional Educational Opportunites in Buffalo
In Memoriam : Hank Spangenberger, EAC #2816
In Memoriam : Herman Halpern, EAC #2236
In Memoriam : Eugene C. Braig, III, EAC #445
Remembering Gene Braig
Braig Library to Benefit EAC
Candidates for Membership
Two Clapp- ANS Cents Resurface
Solving a Counterstamp Mystery
How Big is Too Big
Large Cents Cannot Dance
Foreign Coppers Used by the Early American
Colonists as Coinage; Part II - British Farthings,
Halfpennies and Irish Hibernia
The Best Secured Coin Shows for 2011
Region 8 Quiz
CLUB OFFICIALS
National Officers
President: Bim Gander (bimgander@gmail.com)
12770 NW Steelhead Falls Drive, Terrebonne, OR 97760
Vice President'. Bill Eckberg (halfcent@mac.com)
PO Box 222338, West Palm Beach, FL 33422
Secretary: Denis Loring (dwloring@aol.com)
Box 32115, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420
Treasurer. Chuck Heck (check48@comcast.net)
PO Box 3498, Lantana, FL 33465
Editor of Penny-Wise: Harry E. Salyards (hpsalyar@tcgcs.com)
606 N. Minnesota Ave., Hastings, NE 68901
National Positions
Membership Chairman'. Rod Burress
9743 Leacrest, Cincinnati, OH 45215
Historian'. Mark Borckhardt (markb@heritagegalleries.com)
1625 Warm Springs Dr., Allen, TX 75002
Regional Chairs and Secretaries
Region 1: New England :
Chairman: Charles Davis (numislit@aol.com)
Secretary: Howard Barron (halfcentl@verizon.net)
Region 2: New York-New Jersey '.
Chairman: Greg Heim (gregheim@njcoinbuyer.com)
Secretary: Glenn Marx (GMari@aol.com)
Region 3: Mid-Atlantic (PA, DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC)
Chairman: Brett Dudek (bad_30_99@yahoo.com)
Secretary: Greg Fitzgibbon (FitzgGl@aol.com)
Region 4: Southeast (SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN)
Chairman: Bob Grellman (ljefferys@cfl.rr.com)
Secretary: Ron Tagney (RonTagney@aol.com)
Region 5: North Central (MI, OH, KY, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, NE, SD, ND)
Chairman: Scott Barrett (Lawman3212@aol.com)
Secretary: Leo Courshon (oct02novl6@comcast.net)
Region 6: South Central (KS, MO, AR, LA, TX, OK, NM, CO)
Chairman: Russ Butcher (mrbbl794@sbcglobal.net)
Secretary: Chris McCawley (cmccawley@aol.com)
Region 7: West (WY, MT, ID, UT, NV, AZ, CA, OR, WA, AK, HI)
Chairman: Bryan Yamasaki (millenniumllc@juno.com)
Secretary: Tom Gesner (tom_gesner@chiron.com)
Region 8: Internet
Chairman: Matt Yohe (region8@eacs.org)
Webmaster: Tom Deck (info@eacs.org)
The Board of Governors is composed of the 5 National Officers and the 8 Regional Chairmen.
Penny-Wise has been published regularly since September 1967. Its founding editor was Warren A. Lapp
(1915-1993). Harry E. Salyards has served as Editor-in-Chief since 1986. Contributing Editors: Denis W.
Loring, John D. Wright and William R. Eckberg.
Printed by Advance Graphics and Printing, Chandler, OK.
INTRODUCTION BY THE EDITOR: IT’S TIME
Harry E. Salyards
It was Thursday, April 25, 1991. Three long-time EAC members were sitting in the bar of the
57 Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, when the conversation turned to Del Bland’s large cent researches
at the American Numismatic Society, New York. (This was in the context of finally bringing the
Breen large cent book — what had started out 20 years before as ‘the update to Penny Whimsy ’ —
to press.) Two of the three men at that table had already heard the disturbing news — that Del was
discovering multiple discrepancies between the descriptions of the coins in George Clapp’s
bequest to the ANS, and the actual coins in the trays. Specifically, the coins resting in the
Society’s collection, 45 years after the Clapp donation, were in numerous cases inferior to the
examples Clapp was on record as having donated. As they told the story, it was clear that many
coins that had passed at some point through Dr. William Sheldon’s collection, were now under a
cloud of disputed ownership, to put it mildly. Because, you see, Dr. Sheldon had had free access
to the Clapp Collection at the ANS, had stored his own collection at the Society for a time, and —
well, the rest of the sorry story was soon to be splashed through the numismatic press, with more
than enough mud to go around.
But at that moment, it was just three guys in a bar at an EAC convention, with two of them
breaking the bad news to the third: “You’ve got one of those coins.” Oh.
His reaction was, I suspect, not unlike the emotional response to the news of an unexpected
death : disbelief, followed by commingled anger and resentment. For you have to realize that,
back in the ‘80s, to own a Sheldon coin was like being able to buy a little piece of the large cent
Holy Grail. So that third man at the table had done so. Just one coin. Many others in EAC had
likewise bought just one coin, or perhaps two — in ignorance — no, make that innocence — of
whatever had gone down in New York in the ‘50s. So while the Society was a victim, these
collectors, too, were victims: of misplaced trust in Sheldon’s reputation.
The Breen large cent book was ultimately published in 2000. Therein one may find a number
of Condition Census pedigree chains with the damning links, “ — George H. Clapp — ANS —
William H. Sheldon — .” The responses by the later possessors of those coins, over the
intervening 21 years, have varied widely, as you might expect. In this issue of Penny-Wise, Bob
Grellman recounts the tale of two of those coins which ended up in the estate of the late J. R.
Frankenfield — complete with notations on their envelopes: “THROW IN OCEAN.” For the sake
of our copper heritage, Bob, working with the ANS, was able to reach a less destructive
outcome.
Twenty-one years — a generation — has passed. It’s time for closure. Because there is a cry for
justice from beyond the grave — and I don’t mean Frankenfield’ s, or Sheldon’s. I mean George
Clapp. You don’t have to like the ANS. You don’t even have to believe that coin collections
should be given to museums. You only have to recognize that George Clapp did make that
decision. And as custodians of what were once his coins, we have a duty to honor it.
75
UPDATED ESTIMATES OF RARE HALF CENTS
Michael Spurlock
As reported in my last article in the January 2012 edition of Penny-Wise , I have been
working for about four years on an extensive project to update estimated census information and
pedigree chains for certain varieties of business-strike Half Cents.
As an addition to this project, I have attempted to identify and verify as many known
examples of varieties thought to be of Rarity 6 or higher, and also to update the rarity ratings for
business-strike Half Cent varieties previously reported to be Rarity 5 or higher. This article is a
report on my findings about varieties rated R5 and higher. As with most updates for rarity
ratings, additional examples for a variety have been discovered or ones were reported that had
not been before. Some rarity ratings decreased accordingly.
I do not pretend to have a comer on the market of knowledge on the location and grading of
all rare half cents or those which make up the best examples of a particular variety or sub-
variety. My survey began with surveys and censuses conducted by Half Cent experts in the past
and some which were current. I also conducted an e-mail and phone survey of all EAC members
for which an e-mail address and/or phone number was available. For specific coins identified in
past surveys, I attempted to trace the coin to its current owner. I also surveyed approximately
3,500 auction catalogs known to have a high concentration of coppers, copper dealer fixed price
lists, auction house archives, coin dealer advertisements, coin journals and references, the latest
1/200 Survey from 2005, the libraries and working papers of past and present half cent experts,
and other sources of information including details of certain private treaty transactions, my
database of around 2,500 digital photos or half cents, and other information made available to
me. If I could not positively trace a specific coin to a known current owner or an unknown owner
of a coin from a recent auction, it was excluded from my count. Obviously, examples of these
varieties owned by certain collectors or dealers who like their privacy may not be included in my
survey.
We also know that not all Half Cent collectors are members of EAC (Go recruit!) or have
purchased their coins from the ‘name’ auction houses or the ‘name’ copper dealers or the ‘name’
general coin dealers. Other than voluntary data shared, we have no way of knowing with
certainty what half cents are actually “out there.” I currently plan to advertise in Coin World to
ask for non-EAC collector assistance in positively identifying additional examples of varieties
included in my survey.
As we all know and as you can see from the tables below, estimates of coin rarities are a
fleeting and ever changing thing. For example, during the past two weeks, I have added four new
coins to my database: two brand new discoveries (1794 C2b and 1809 Cl from eBay) and two
coins (1806 C3 and one rare variety not to be announced) that have never been included in any
previous survey. The cherries are still ripe for picking so keep your eyes sharp! The results of
this survey follow.
76
United States Half Cents
Rarities of R-5 and Above By Variety
March 12, 2012
Spurlock
Estimated
2005
Estimate
Current
1/200 Survey
Variety
2012
Population
Population
Comments
1794 C-Olb
R-5+
35+
20
New ones have been located for the past several
years. 35 positively identified.
1794 C-02b
R-5+
29+
21
Latest discovery in 2012.
1794 C-03a
R-5
a.
41
13 Different Coins Down to F12
1794 C-03b
R-7+
6
3
No new ones here.
1794 C-04b
R-7-
12
6
The report of a 13th is unconfirmed. Would go
to R-6+ if it is confirmed
1794 C-05b
R-8
3
2
A report of an example in an old-time collection
has not been confirmed.
1794 C-06a
R-5
a.
34
19 Different Coins Down to VG10
1794 C-06b
R-8+
1
0
No change here. :-)
1794 C-07
R-5-
a.
32
20 Different Coins Down to VF20
1794 C-08
R-5-
a.
42
22 Different Coins Down to F12
1795 C-02b
R-5+
29+
14
29 Positively Identified. Several untraced
Auction Records.
1795 C-03
R-5
a.
34
21 Different Coins Down to G6
1795 C-06b
R-5
40+
25
40 Positively Identified
1796 C-01
R-6-
26+
9
26 Positively Identified; 20 Untraced Auction
Refs.
1797 C-03c
R-6+
14
6
14 Positively Identified
1802 C-01
R-5+
31+
14
31 Positively Identified. Additional Reports and
Untraced Auction References.
1804 C-02
R-6-
24+
12
Latest reported discovery in 2010.
1805 C-02
R-5
a.
31
17 Different Coins Down to VG10
1806 C-03
R-5
41+
29
3 New Examples Reported in the last year.
1808 C-01
R-6
16
6
4 Discovered in the past 1-1/2 years.
1809 C-01
R-5-
a.
48
25 Different Coins Down to F12
REFERENCES
Breen, Walter. 1983. Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents 1793-1857.:
American Institute of Numismatic Research, 2840 Indiana Avenue, South Gate, California
90280.
Breen, Walter. 1960. Unpublished data from typed manuscript.
Cohen, Jr., Roger S. 1971. American Half Cents the “Little Half Sisters ” First Edition. Roger S.
Cohen, Jr., Arlington, Virginia.
Cohen, Jr., Roger S. 1982. American Half Cents the “Little Half Sisters ” Second Edition.
Wigglesworth & Ghatt Co. (Roger S. Cohen, Jr.), Arlington, Virginia.
77
CQR
00
o
o
CM
R-6
R-6
R-5
R-7+
R-7
R-8
R-5+
R-8+
R-5+
R-5
R-6+
R-5+
R-6
R-6
R-7-
R-6
R-6
R-5
R-6
R-7
R-4
Eckberg
2007
R-6-
R-6+
R-5
R-7+
R-7
R-8-
R-5+
+
00
1
Cd
R-5
R-5
R-6+
R-5+
Unlisted
R-6
R-7-
R-6
R-6
R-5+
R-6-
R-7
R-5-
Manley
1998
R-6
R-6
R-5
R-7+
R-7
R-8
R-5+
R-8+
R-5
R-5
R-6+
R-5+
R-6
R-6
R-7-
R-6
R-6+
R-6-
R-6-
R-7
R-5+
Reynolds
1989
R-6
R-6
R-5
R-8
R-8
R-8
R-6
R-8
R-5
R-5
R-6
R-5
R-6
R-6
R-7-
R-6
R-7
R-6
R-6
R-7
R-6
Breen
1985
R-6+
R-6+
R-6-
R-8
i
00
1
cd
R-8+
R-6
R-8+
R-6-
R-5+
R-6+
R-5+
R-6+
R-6
R-7+
R-6+
R-7
R-6-
R-6+
R-7
R-6+
Cohen
1982
R-6
R-6
R-5
R-8
00
1
cd
R-8+
R-6
R-8+
R-5
R-5
R-6
R-5
R-6
R-6
R-7
R-6
R-7
R-6
R-6
R-7
R-6
Cohen
1971
R-7
R-7
R-6
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
R-6
Unknown
R-6
R-6
R-7
R-6
R-7
R-6
R-7
R-7
00
1
cd
R-7
R-7
R-8
R-7
Breen
1960
R-7+
R-8
R-5
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
R-7
R-6
R-7
R-7
Unlisted
R-7
R-7
R-7
Unknown
R-7
R-8
op
Cd
R-8
Gilbert
1916
Unknown
Unknown
*
*
*
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
*
*
*
Unknown
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
00
1
Cd
Unlisted
*
*
*
Unknown
Exceedingly
Rare
Unknown
R-8
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Spurlock
Estimate
2012
R-5+
R-5+
R-5
R-7+
R-7-
R-8
R-5
R-8+
R-5-
R-5-
R-5+
R-5
R-5
R-6-
R-6+
R-5+
R-6-
R-5
R-5
R-6
R-5-
Variety
1794 C-Olb
1794 C-02b
1794 C-03a
1794 C-03b
1794 C-04b
1794 C-05b
1794 C-06a
1794 C-06b
1794 C-07
00
o
1
u
cr>
t— i
1795 C-02b
1795 C-03
1795 C-06b
1796 C-01
1797 C-03c
1802 C-01
1804 C-02
1805 C-02
1806 C-03
TOO 8081
TOO 608T
78
Eckberg, William R. 2007, “A Science of Half Cent Values?” in Penny-Wise, Volume XLI,
Number 5. (September), pages 172-174.
Gilbert, Ebenezer. 1916. The United States Half Cents. The Elder Numismatic Press, 32 East
Twenty-Third Street, New York City, New York.
Manley, Ronald P. 1998. The Half Cent Die State Book 1793-1857: Advance Graphics,
Chandler, Oklahoma.
Reynolds, Thomas D. 1989. “Examining the Current Rarity Ratings” in Penny-Wise , Volume
XXIII, Number 1 . (January), pages 4-6.
Robinson, Jack H. 2008. Copper Quotes by Robinson, 19 th Edition. Jack H. Robinson, P.O. Box
430, Centreville, Virginia 20122.
NOTE: Here is a little tongue-in-cheek from the past. Please note the “publisher” of Roger
Cohen’s 2nd Edition above. “Wigglesworth” was his dog and “Ghatt” was his cat! ! !
79
THE EVOLUTION OF U.S. MINTING TECHNOLOGY 1792 - 1837
Part III: The Mechanization of the Mint
Craig Sholley
While other government officials may not have given it much thought, the Mint’s founding officials
realized from the beginning that mechanization was an urgent need. In a January 12, 1798 letter to Mint
Director Elias Boudinot explaining some of the Mint’s antiquated ways, Chief Coiner Henry Voigt wrote:
The Mint work [sic] was originally constructed for a steam Engine, to be the impelling power for the mill
work .... It was no error of the Director [Rittenhouse] that horses were employed, they only were
pro temporary till it should be found more convenient to erect a steam Engine; for he knew perfectly well
that horses were insufficient to make Dollars to advantage; but towards the time Dollars were to be struck,
he was fearful of the expenses; because too much fault had already been found with the expenses that had
been; and therefore declined.
While Voigt specifically mentions dollars, it is clear from other historical records such as newspaper
accounts, congressional reports, and the Mint records themselves that the Mint was having problems
sustaining a reasonable production of any denomination.
In fact, the Mint was both under-powered and under- funded, and everyone knew it. In 1795, Congress
established a committee to investigate the problems of the fledgling Mint, and that committee reported
exactly these problems and recommended both increased funding and the installation of a steam engine to
improve operations! 1
The problems with mechanizing the Mint lie solely in the politics. Many members of Congress
strenuously opposed the establishment of a government mint. While some may have opposed this out of
distrust of governmental control of the coinage since under English rule the colonies had been
systematically subjected to underweight and counterfeit coinage, several influential members opposed it
out of pure greed - they stood to gain if their business associates were awarded a contract for private
coinage.
Fortunately, the Mint had a few powerful allies, not the least of whom were President Washington
and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. It was equally fortunate that these allies realized the tremendous
implications of a sovereign and govemmentally controlled coinage. Not only did a national coinage make
a powerful political statement that America was a new and sovereign nation (something not lost on the
rest of the world, especially England), but governmental control would show that this fledgling nation
was serious and its economy would not be placed at the mercy of another nation or private enterprise.
Thus the Mint and its allies had to play a political waiting game. After years of nothing more than
blunting the opposition to prevent a shutdown, the Mint finally cultivated enough support in politics,
banking, and commerce to firmly establish itself.
In 1816, a rather fortuitous accident provided a convenient and compelling reason to at least partially
mechanize the Mint. According to Mint records in the National Archives, at 2:00 a.m. on January 11,
1816, a fire broke out in the building housing the rolling machine and planchet cutting presses. The fire
then spread to the building that housed the furnaces for smelting bullion.
While the fire effectively destroyed the Mint’s capability to refine and strike silver and gold coinage,
it also provided the Director with the opportunity to at least partially mechanize the Mint. (Copper
coinage was unaffected as the coining room with its screw presses was not involved in the fire and the
Mint did not produce copper planchets, but rather ordered them from British firms.)
1 See Boudinot’ s 1795 report on the Mint.
80
On January 15 th , Mint Director Robert Patterson wrote to President Madison seeking approval to
repair the Mint, stating 66 that this can be done, and on a much improved plan, without any special
appropriation for that purpose, merely from the balances of former appropriations not yet carried to the
surplus fund .” The promise to spend only surplus funds was apparently a powerful “selling point” and
Patterson quickly received approval on the 1 9 th to repair the Mint.
Three steam-powered rolling machines with additional sets of rollers and gear assemblies were
ordered to drawings supplied by the Mint from the English firm of Harrold and Belles on May 27, 1816
and received in late November. The records likewise show that a steam engine was ordered from Oliver
Evans. This engine was installed and operating some time before May 1817 as in the “Mint Report” for
that year, the Director reported that silver coinage had recommenced in the beginning of that month.
UUUU1.no StlUU
A new draw bench and a planchet cutting press, both powered by the new steam engine, were also
installed sometime during 1817. No record remains as to the source of this equipment, but their overall
design does provide some clues.
The drawbench was likely purchased from Bouton, as illustrations of the Mint’s bench as shown in
publications such as the July 17, 1852 issue of Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion and
detailed drawings of Bouton’s equipment shown in the 1815 edition of the American Edition of the New
Edinburgh Encyclopedia show a rather “remarkable similarity”.
The planchet cutting press was apparently of Mint design, and ordered from either Harrold and Belles
or Oliver Evans, both of whom would have been capable of manufacturing the press. There is only one
passing mention of it in the historical record: Waldo Abbottt’s December 1861 article Making Money
from Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, where it is described as the “first one installed about forty years
prior”.
81
New drawbench and planchet cutting press
While the new “steam-powered” rolling mills, draw bench, and planchet cutting press vastly improved
and speeded strip rolling and blanking operations, the Mint was still stuck with its manually operated screw
presses. In fact, it would have been virtually impossible for the Mint to update its presses at this time. The
coining presses had not been damaged in the fire and the Director certainly realized the uproar that a
request for additional funds would create. This is undoubtedly the reason that Patterson went out of his
way to point out that the repairs and new equipment would be purchased from existing funds.
Further compounding the problem was the fact that the only steam-powered coining equipment
commercially available at the time was produced by Matthew Boulton’s English firm. 2 With the War of
1812 just ending the prior year, one can imagine the reaction of a Congress generally antagonistic towards
the Mint to a significant appropriation for equipment produced by a former enemy! Unfortunately, the
Mint would again have to bide its time.
The “Peale Revolution”
With the long period of revolutionary disturbances in Latin America coming to an end in the mid-
1820s, silver bullion (and some gold) began to flow into the United States in vast amounts. This sudden
influx placed a serious strain on the Mint’s capacity and the situation was only further compounded by
increasing production of gold in the southern states.
Mint Director Samuel Moore was quick to recognize the growing need for additional capacity, and, in
1827 began preparing cost estimates for constructing and equipping a new Mint. Not surprisingly, one of
Moore’s foremost concerns was the Mint’s antiquated screw presses and he wasted little time, contacting
Boulton, Watt & Co. that summer to inquire about their supplying steam-powered coining presses for a
new mint.
On December 10, 1828, with cost estimates in hand, Moore wrote a letter to the chairman of the
House committee on the Mint urging him to place a bill before Congress to fund construction of a new
2 See Cooper, “The Art and Craft of Coinmaking”, pp. 127 - 128. In 1812, German engineer Diedrich Ulhorn
developed a prototype of a new type of press, but the final design was not available until 1817. Discussion of this
press follows.
82
Mint equipped with new steam-powered coining machinery. 3 Fortunately, by this time the majority of the
Congress were well aware of the growing needs, and with the backing of increasingly powerful private
commercial and financial interests, the measure was quickly passed on March 2, 1829.
In the meantime, the negotiations with Boulton & Co. were not proceeding well. Moore demanded
(quite understandably), that detailed drawings of the equipment be provided as part of the contract; a
provision to which Boulton would not agree. Another problem was the company’s insistence that the
Mint pay for the equipment in advance rather than on delivery and proof of operation. This was the final
blow. Although he had the backing of Congress along with political and commercial allies, the Congress
would not tolerate a “failed experiment. So, from Moore’s perspective the payment terms were
unacceptable and the negotiations were dropped.
The tone of the negotiations shows that Boulton & Co. had seriously miscalculated. They apparently
thought the Mint’s need more urgent than it was. In fact, Moore was well aware that it would take several
years to build and equip the new Mint. Furthermore, Moore had “bought some time” in meeting the
growing coinage demands by purchasing another screw coining press in December of 1827 and hiring
additional labor. 4 With the completion of the new buildings in January of 1833, the Mint merely
transferred operations and continued on until an answer to the equipment problem could be found.
That solution came about in May of 1833 when Moore decided to send Franklin Peale on a tour of the
mints in England, Germany and France to review their equipment and overall operation. Contrary to
popular myth, this trip was not an “industrial spy mission”. Moore had written to the U.S. ministers in the
respective nations seeking permission to visit. 5 These nations were more than happy to cooperate; not
only was the U.S. a growing commercial market, but it was also becoming an important political and
military force as well. Friendly relations were a good idea!
Peale reported back to Director Moore During his travels and as a result of these reports it became
increasingly clear that Moore’s decision not to be pushed into a hasty purchase of Boulton coining press
was indeed correct. While Boulton’s development of a steam-powered press was certainly important, his
press was not exactly the ground-breaking leap in technology most think it was.
All Boulton had really done was apply the power of a steam engine to a standard screw press through
a rather convoluted series of levers and cams. In fact, after seeing his presses and power system in the
London mint, Peale noted that Boulton’s equipment was very large, rather slow, and due to the complex
mechanisms, inefficient in its use of power.
In fact, the “Uhlhorn” presses Peale saw in Germany and France were far superior to the Boulton
presses were. Named after their inventor, Diederich Uhlhorn, these presses were a fundamental
improvement in minting technology. 6
The Uhlhorn presses were so technologically superior that within a decade they came into wide use
throughout Europe. And, in the Paris mint that Peale saw the Thonnelier press, which was yet a further
refinement of the Uhlhorn design.
Rather than using the impact from a descending screw to accomplish the strike, the Ulhorn and
Thonnelier presses used the “squeeze” applied by a “knuckle joint”. And, the mechanism was as simple as
it was elegant. Unlike Boulton’s complex arrangement of levers and cams, these presses were driven by
simple belts and pulleys attached directly to the steam engine’s main fly-wheel. The design was so
3 Taxay, “U.S. Mint and Coinage ”, pp. 143 - 145.
4 RAP, Entry 181 - Ledgers and Blotters of Ordinary Receipts and Expenditures, warrant dated Dec. 11, 1827 to
Rush and Muhlenberg (successor to Oliver Evans) for a coining press.
5 RAP, Entry 23 - Peale Correspondence, in letters back to Moore, Peale notes these prior contacts and that the
“official letters of introduction” he carried with him were well received.
6 Cooper, “The Art and Craft of Coinmaking”, pp. 127 - 128, & 137 - 147. Ulhom developed a prototype in 1812
and the final design was patented in 1817.
83
mechanically efficient that the entire press had about the same number of levers and cams as just the
feeding mechanism of the Boulton presses!
Legend has it that Peale “stole” the design from the Paris mint by making detailed drawings of the
press. However, another letter from Peale to Moore tells quite a different story. The French let Peale copy
the design and even provided mint workers to help him in producing the drawings and explaining
mechanical details! All that was asked is that Peale pay for their time, which, of course, he happily did. 7
After Peale’s return, Moore sought bids for construction of three Thonnelier presses and subsequently
placed a contract with the firm of Merrick, Agnew and Tyler. Rufus Tyler (who would later become the
Chief Coiner of the New Orleans Mint) was the mechanic in charge of their construction.
The first press, used for cents and quarters, was installed on March 23 rd , 1836. 8 Following some initial
tests and subsequent modifications, in early April cents were the first coins struck on the new press with
quarters apparently following later that month or the next. 9 Both cents and quarters were struck at the rate
of 80 per minute, which was over twice the rate of a screw press and half again the rate of Boulton’s
presses. 10
7 RAP, Entry 23 - Peale Correspondence, letter from Peale to Moore dated Nov. 20, 1833
8 See the Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. XVIII, No. 5, report by Franklin Peale on the new presses, pp. 307 -
310. Here Peale states that the “medium size press” was for eagles, quarter dollars, and cents. A letter from Mint
Director Patterson to George Newbold dated March 1, 1837 [RAP, Entry 1 - General Correspondence] stating that
the first press is used for cents and quarters confirms that this is the press to which Peale is referring.
9 Since the die holders for the new press were simple to machine, the new presses used same dies as those used
screw presses. Thus there is no way to tell a “steam-press coin” from one struck on the screw presses.
10 With the press for half dollars and dollars still not delivered and under pressure from the Philadelphia bankers
handling the “French Indemnity payments”, the Mint tried to use the press to strike half dollars in November of
1836. This was, of course, a rather dismal failure; the press jammed under the increased pressure. See Craig Sholley,
“ The First Steam Press Coinage ”, Penny-Wise, November 1998 pp. 402 - 406 for a discussion of the French
Indemnity coinage and the striking of half dollars on the first press.
84
Peale also brought back a design for a steam-powered milling (edge rimming) machine. Depending
upon the denomination, the new milling machine with its rotary dies could rim planchets at about 5 to 20
times the rate of the old manually-powered riming machine. 11 With the new high-speed coining presses,
this machine was a crucial part of the coining operations.
K1LUMO MACUIXK.
Milling machine
New Engraving and Die Sinking Practices
Besides the designs for the press and the milling machine, Peale brought back two other crucial
improvements: the method for hubbing full dies and news of the reducing lathe.
The means to replicate (hub) dies in a press using a “master” had eluded the Mint from its beginning.
And this capability, although highly desirable before, became even more critical with the introduction of
the new steam-powered presses - it did little good to have high speed presses if you couldn’t keep them
supplied with dies!
Past researchers have offered differing explanations for the Mint’s inability to hub full dies.
Apparently thinking that the die steel or hardening processes used by the Mint were inadequate to the
task, Taxay opined that incomplete master dies were used to extend their life. 12 While this may sound
logical, a review of the historical records clearly shows this to be mistaken as the die steel and hardening
processes used at the Mint were exactly the same as those used in Europe, but the Europeans were able to
hub full dies whereas the Americans were not. 13
11 Waldo Abbot, “Making Money” , Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Dec. 1861, pg. 23.
12 Taxay, “The U.S. Mint and Coinage ”, pg. 84.
13 Craig Sholley, " “ Early US Minting Methods Part I: Die Forging and Hardening” , John Reich Journal whole #44.
85
Breen offered yet another explanation: the Mint’s presses were not powerful enough to hub dies. On
page 210 of his “ Encyclopedia ofU.S. and Colonial Coins ”, he states that only the new steam press was
powerful enough to hub full dies. However, historical records again directly contradict this assertion.
In the first place, Peale’s report on his visit to the European mints shows that neither the French nor
the British used their steam coining presses for hubbing; they used large screw presses. 14 Furthermore,
both Waldo Abbottfs 1861 account of his visit to the Philadelphia Mint and the Mint’s own “Annual
Reports” show that screw presses were used to hub dies at least until the arrival of hydraulic presses in 1893,
and possibly after that. 15
So, if the Mint’s inability to hub full dies wasn’t due to materials or equipment, what was the
problem? The problem was, quite simply, lack of technique.
Most metals, including steel, get “harder” when they are worked (rolled, bent, stamped, etc.) at room
temperature. This effect, called “work hardening", causes problems when sinking a die since the steel gets
harder and harder with each blow of the press. Furthermore, impressing the design into the die causes the
metal to flow up and out from the impression much like pressing your thumb into a piece of clay.
As a result, the die ends up quite hard, and therefore resistant to further impression. Additionally a
ridge of metal rises up around the impressed design effectively creating a “dam” that even further restricts
the metal flow.
With literally hundreds of years more experience in coining than the U.S., both the British and French
had developed processes to eliminate these problems. And these were the processes that Peale brought
back from Europe.
On page 170 of his June 1835 report on the European mints, Peale noted the British technique for
hubbing dies:
A single blow is given to the dye for sovereigns, one man making nearly a whole revolution of the press. It
is then softened in an iron box buried in charcoal, and receives another blow, care being taken to bmsh it
clean between each operation. The superfluous metal is then turned off and it is finished off by a light blow.
And on page 209, Peale describes the French process:
The dyes are warmed and then placed under the press, from which they receive a few blows, the number of
which depend on the size of the dye that is being reproduced. They are turned round between each of the
blows... The dyes for the five franc piece require that they be annealed twice, and those for lesser
denominations only once.
Since various Mint records before 1835 do mention the annealing of dies, it seems that the part of the
process that had eluded the Mint was the machining off of the ridge of metal pushed up during hubbing.
Missing this simple step had prevented the Mint from hubbing full dies for over forty years! 16
14 RAP, Entry 23 - Peale Correspondence, “Report by Franklin Peale on his visit to Europe in the Mint Service”,
dated June 17, 1835 (a.k.a., “The Peale Report”).
15 Waldo Abbott, " Making Money" , Harper’s Monthly Magazine, Nov.-Dee. 1861. Annual Report of the Director of the
Mint for 1883, 1896 and 1902. Other Mint records [RAP, Entry 3 - General Correspondence] also show that the Mint
hubbed the new Gobrecht Dollar dies in late 1835 to early 1836, about four months prior to the arrival of the first
steam coining press in late March, 1836. Thus, the real reason for the Mint’s inability to hub full dies was solely
process related - discussion follows.
16 According to Mint records [RAP, Entry 3 - General Correspondence], the dies for the “Gobrecht Dollar” were the
first successful fully-hubbed dies. These were followed by the Reeded Edge half dollar dies, and those for the new
Seated coinage. However, the 1834 Overton 113 and 114 varieties (the so-called “Abominable Bastards”) may have
actually been a partially successful experimental hubbing based on Peale’s letters back to Moore during his travels
in Europe. Lehman and Gunnet suggested just such a possibility in their 1992 article in the John Reich Journal (see
whole #18, pg. 34). Brad Karoleff also notes that there is apparently on one known die marriage for the 1838
86
As previously mentioned, Peale also returned with another dramatic improvement for the engraving
process he had seen in the Paris mint: the so-called “portrait lathe”. The lathe was a milling machine
capable of following a metal model and engraving a reduced image of that model in a steel die body. Mint
Director Robert Patterson was so impressed with Peale ’s description that, after some brief inquiries, he
ordered one from the French engineer Contamin, who had produced the one Peale had seen at the Paris
mint.
However, since the lathes were made to order, it would not arrive until March of 1837. In the mean
time, the Mint made do with a precursor to the portrait lathe called a “medal-ruling machine”, probably
supplied by Christian Gobrecht who had joined the Mint as engraver in September of 1835 following
William Kneass’s crippling stroke.
While not a true “engraving machine” like the portrait lathe, the medal-ruling machine could produce
a reduced etching on a die face from an oversized model. And, not only did this etching show the exact
outline of the design, it also created relief lines. In fact, the machine was so accurate that it was later used
to produce the etchings of coins for the plates in Eckfeldt and DuBois’ 1842 “Mint Manual” of gold and
silver coins. 17
With a medal-ruling lathe, the engraver’s task was significantly easier. Rather than working in actual
size directly on the die face, the engraver could now make an oversized wax or clay model in relief
exactly as he wanted it to appear on the coin. A brass casting was then produced from a plaster mold of
the model and used as a template for the medal ruling machine, which produced a reduced “coin size”
etching on the die face.
While the engraver still had to hand engrave the hub or die, this process did eliminate the tedious task
of drawing the design on the die, and reducing it from an oversize model significantly improved both the
detail and proportion resulting in a far more artistic rendering. In the hands of a highly accomplished
engraver like Gobrecht, the dies took on a machine-like perfection not previously seen on U.S. coins.
While the medal-ruling machine could have been used to produce an actual master die, comparison of
the various varieties of Gobrecht’ s new dollar and half dollar show that he continued to work in relief
producing a master hub containing only the central device. It was still easier to punch the letters,
numerals, stars, and into the master die rather than cut them in relief on the hub.
The arrival of the Contamin lathe in March of 1837 lathe literally revolutionized the engraving of dies
at the Mint. 18 Just as with the medal-ruling machine, the engraver produced an oversized model in wax or
clay, made a plaster mold of the model, and from that mold produced an iron or brass casting to be used
as template. The major difference being that lathe could actually cut a “coin-size” replica of a design into
a hub from the oversized pattern.
quarter dollar. Collectors should note that it is possible that the dies for these were also fully hubbed, and thus the
only difference would be in the date position.
17 In a rather serendipitous turn, it was the plate of the 1804 dollar that first alerted numismatists to this rarity’s
existence.
18 Taxay misstates the arrival date as 1836. The lathe was ordered in 1836 but took almost a year to build and ship.
87
TKANbJ'titi LATHE.
Contamin lathe
However, like the medal-ruling machine, there were limitations. The lathe was not good at
reproducing elements with tall, straight sides and sharp angles. So, the stars, letters, numerals and
possibly the dentils still had to be hand punched into the master die. As a result, the hub still only
contained the central device. Additionally, the lathe was not good at reproducing fine details and it also
left some rather heavy machining lines. As a result, this “roughed-out” hub required a good bit of hand
finishing. 19
Nonetheless, the lathe not only eliminated the “heavy” engraving work, it was also very fast. In June
of 1837, Mint Director Patterson reported to Treasury Secretary Levi Woodbury that the reverse master
hubs for both the new dime and half dime were cut in an afternoon, work which Patterson said (with
perhaps a bit of exaggeration) would have previously taken months.
The effects of the improvements that Peale brought back literally transformed the Mint from a small,
antiquated artisan’s shop into the most advanced mint in the world with capabilities exceeding that of
either Britain or France. In fact, upon visiting the U.S. Mint some years later, an attache of the Royal Mint
in London remarked to the Chief Coiner, “When you come to London, I beg you not to visit our Mint.
You are a hundred years in advance of us.”
The Principal Literature
Much of the information presented in this series comes from the following texts, or sources quoted
therein. Their importance to serious research on early U.S. coinage cannot be overstated and those
interested should make every effort to obtain copies for study.
Waldo Abbottt, ’’Making Money”, Harper's New Monthly Magazine , Nov.-Dee. 1861 - this two
part article provides the best overview of the second Mint and it’s equipment. Photocopy is
available through most major libraries by special order.
19 Waldo Abbott, “Making Money”, Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Dec. 1861, pg. 23.
88
Denis Cooper, The Art and Craft of Coinmaking - written by a former chief engineer at the Royal mint in
London and is the definitive work on minting methods and equipment.
Jacob R. Eckfeldt and William E. Du Bois, The Mint Manual of Coins of All Nations - although it is
primarily a compendium of the coinage of various nations, pages 186 - 189 contain an description of the
“medal ruling lathe”. This work also contains a brief description of the minting and engraving methods
used in 1842.
Eugene Ferguson, ed., Early Engineering Reminiscences of George Escol Sellers - primarily important for
Sellers’ discussion of the operation of the screw press for cents and the new steam powered presses and
other mechanized equipment installed in 1836. It also contains discussions of other mechanical equipment
of the time, thus providing important historical context.
James Ross Snowden, The Mint Manual of Coins of All Nations - again a compendium like Eckfeldt and
Du Bois, it also contains the only direct quotations of Voigt’s first account book which is now missing
from the Mint records in the National Archives.
Frank H. Stewart, History of the First U.S. Mint - despite its small size this text contains perhaps the best
overview of the early Mint along with direct quotations of early Mint records.
Don Taxay, The U.S Mint and Coinage - published over forty years ago and covering the period from the
Revolution to modern times, Taxay’ s landmark work remains the foremost text on the history of U.S.
coinage.
AMERICAN HALF CENTS— THE LITTLE HALF SISTERS
The First 100 Invoices
Bob Kebler
This past fall, while I was reviewing my copy of Roger S. Cohen, Jr.’s book, American Half Cents —
The Little Half Sisters , I noticed that it had been 40 years since the publication of his first edition
(December 1971). Having had a personal connection to Roger, I have collected some literature related to
his numismatic career since I joined EAC in 2000. It didn’t take long for me to realize that 2012 was also
a year of several other anniversaries related to Roger’s work. These include the 30 th anniversary of his
second edition of his half cent book (January 1982), the 40 th anniversary of his first (and most famous)
Fixed Price List (October 1972), and the 20 th anniversary of the auction of his half cent collection by
Superior Galleries on February 8, 1992, this after his untimely death in 1990.
This seemed like a perfect exhibit to put together and show at the EAC Convention this year in
Buffalo. I contacted R. Tettenhorst and Mike Packard, two long-time friends of Roger’s, about any other
ideas for the exhibit that they might have. Their suggestions have led to many others, and the scope of my
project has greatly increased. Mike suggested many other aspects of Roger’s life and career to investigate,
and Tett opened the floodgates with an invitation to view Roger’s voluminous archival records. A brief
note in the November 1993 issue of Penny-Wise says:
R. TETTENHORST writes,
Through the generous cooperation of Debby Cohen, the research papers and notes which Roger used
for the writing of the two editions of his half cent book, along with other research material and
correspondence in connection with half cents, has been donated to the library of the Eric P. Newman
Numismatic Education Society. After I have had an opportunity to catalogue the material on behalf of the
library, it will be available for researchers to use as a resource.
89
As both Tett and I live in St. Louis where the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society is
located, I was able recently to spend two fascinating days looking through the material, and I barely
scratched the surface. The records consist of six boxes plus some assorted bundles of correspondence,
research notes, inventory cards, account ledgers, receipts, files related to the creation of his books, and
many other items. Tett serves as the informal custodian of these records, so that access to half cent
collectors is enhanced. I volunteered, and Tett consented, to allow me to catalogue and organize the
material, which Tett has never been able to complete. My goals are now as follows:
(1) To provide the catalogue of the Roger S. Cohen, Jr. archives to the members of EAC
through publication in Penny-Wise;
(2) To gather as much information from the current members of EAC as they are willing to
share with me about their experiences with Roger;
(3) To prepare an article on the life and career of Roger Cohen after I am done with the
cataloging;
(4) To provide some occasional material for inclusion in Penny-Wise using the above
records, the first of which follows.
Roger S. Cohen, Jr. published the first edition of American Half Cents — The Little Half Sisters in
December of 1971. While he had collected half cents for 20 years, in the half cent world he was relatively
unknown. In fact, in his review of the book in the March 1972 issue of Penny-Wise , John Wright wrote on
the authorship of a new half cent book, “Why Roger Cohen?” Cohen started work on the book in 1969 20 ,
and he stated, “Writing a book is quite a job. In my case I have carried it through all the steps from idea to
research, writing, editing, proofreading, paste-ups, publication, and distribution” 21 . The publication of the
book was certainly a financial risk for Cohen. In his response enclosed with Thomas Katman’s invoice he
wrote, “Prior to putting my book out I felt that there were only about 25 half cent collectors in the
country. For that reason, I had very few copies of my book printed. This by the way is why it is so damn
expensive. [$ 1 5 doesn’t seem so bad today! — B.K.]. I’m just trying to break even.” While he professed
that he was unconcerned whether the book turned a profit, in 1973 he said, “I am still in the hole but
frankly I don’t care about the financial aspect,” and told Jack Beymer that “the book has been a good tax
loss.” As a Certified Public Accountant by profession, this certainly had to weigh on his mind, not to
mention the fact that the completed books took up an entire room in the basement of his home. Two
thousand copies were printed, of which seven were noted to be “errors.” Interestingly, Roger’s working
edition for the revision of his book was a copy in which the text was inverted in relation to the cover.
Also included in the total were 25 books which he gave as presentation copies, a complete list of which I
have not yet found.
In the Cohen research archival material is a folder that contains the first 100 numbered invoices of
purchasers of his book (there are actually 105 invoices as some numbers are duplicated). They accounted
for 207 actual copies sold and covered the dates 1/8/1972 through 4/9/1972. The following table lists the
purchasers and is an interesting piece of early copper history. A review of the names turned up many that
should be of interest to EAC members. A copy of an original invoice and letter from a well-remembered
EAC member is also included.
20 Letter to Howard Hazelcom dated 2/1/1972
21 Letter to Darwin Palmer, Jr. dated 1/12/1972
90
Table of Invoices
Name
Residence
Books
EAC
#
Comments
1
Lee Thomas Cohen
Chevy Chase, MD
i
His mother!
2
Richard Picker
Albertson, NY
i
Dealer
3
Coins of Chevy Chase
Washington, DC
6
Dealer
4
Robinson S. Brown, Jr.
Louisville, KY
1
4
5
John J. Ford, Jr.
New York, NY
1
324
6
Charles S. Haas
Wilmington, DE
1
99
7
Hugh Campbell
Santa Clara, CA
1
163
8
Milton B. Pfeffer
New York, NY
1
6
9
Jack 0. Yeager
Mobile, AL
1
40
10
J. Robert Parson
Mableton, GA
1
12
11
Nathaniel A. Eaton
Stoneham, MA
1
148
12
Douglas A. Weaver
Nappanee, IN
1
96
13
Alan Meghrig
Los Angeles, CA
1
135
14
Charles M. Wormser
New York, NY
1
399
New Netherlands Coin Co.
15
Norman Stack
New York, NY
10
Stack's
16
Penn Valley Coin Shoppe
Ardmore, PA
7
Coin Dealer
17
Catherine E. Bullowa
Philadelphia, PA
2
Coinhunter Coin Co.
18
Rosario "Sal" Zambuto
Ozone Park, NY
1
238
19
Edwin R. Shapiro
New York, NY
1
20
Kenneth W. Lee
Glendale, CA
2
21
William K. Raymond
New York, NY
1
22
Nova Coin & Stamp Shop
Washington, DC
7
Coin Dealer
23
William A. Selfridge
New York, NY
1
Harmer Rooke Numismatic
24
Q. David Bowers
Hollywood, CA
1
204
Bowers & Ruddy Galleries
25
Coin Dealer Newsletter
Hollywood, CA
1
26
Don R. Frederick
Annandale, VA
1
27
Pik-A-Book Store
St. Cloud. MN
3
Book Dealer
28
John A. Haggstrom
Omaha, NE
1
29
Kenneth E. Bressett
Racine, WI
1
Whitman Publishing Co.
30
Silver City Coin Co.
Meriden, CT
3
Coin Dealer
31
Richard C. Marlor
Pennsauken, NJ
1
153
32
Thomas D. Reynolds
Des Moines, IA
1
222
33
Donald C. Stulken
Viroqua, WI
1
34
Darwin B. Palmer, Jr.
Columbia, MO
1
68
35
John A. McGeary
Vineland, NJ
1
183
36
Donald Botteron
Syracuse, NY
1
201
37
Jay M. Sklar
Oradell, NJ
1
38
Leslie A. Johnson
Duluth, MN
1
186
91
Name
Residence
Books
EAC
#
Comments
39
Sam Ungar
Norflok, VA
2
387
Lafayette Coin Shop
40
Frank & Laurese Katen
Silver Spring, MD
5
Book Dealer
41
The Old Roman, Inc.
Hicksville, NY
1
Coin Dealer
42
S. Sylvan Wanderman
New York, NY
1
Coin Dealer
42a
Michael A. Graham
Los Angeles, CA
1
234
43
Willard Blaisdell
Elizabeth, NJ
1
20
44
Stanley Apfelbaum
Albertson, NY
1
203
First Coinvestors, Inc.
45
Julius Reiver
Wilmington, DE
6
5
46
Dane B. Nielsen
Van Nuys, CA
1
29
47
Larry Eisenberger
Hannover, PA
1
48
Thomas S. Katman
Oswego, NY
1
344
49
Bill Schmidt
Laurel, MD
1
50
Jesse M. Patrick
San Francisco, CA
1
230
51
Hunters Pharmacy & Coins
Harper Woods, MI
7
Coin Dealer
51a
George N. Polis
Bethesda, MD
1
57
The Fugio Corporation
52
James H. Goudge
Van Nuys, CA
1
108
53
Warren A. Lapp
Brooklyn, NY
1
33
54
Bob Yuell
E. Brunswick, NJ
1
218
55
Leonard K. Porter
Jackson, MI
1
56
Harry Budd
Sharon Hill, PA
1
56a
James H. Mackie
Huntington Beach, CA
1
352
57
Ralph C. Langham
Peekskill, NY
7
178
Coin Dealer
58
Jesse M. Patrick
San Francisco, CA
7
230
2nd order
59
Aaron R. Feldman
New York, NY
7
60
Lee Stonebraker
Rockville, MD
1
61
Denis W. Loring
Somerville, MA
1
11
62
Economical Wholesale Co.
Worcester, MA
125
Order cancelled
63
Charles R. Heisler, Inc.
Lancaster, PA
20
Distributor
64
Stuart's Coins
Boonville, MO
1
Coin Dealer
65
National Coin Studios
Minneapolis, MN
1
Coin Dealer
66
Mike Griffith
Atlanta, GA
1
255
67
Phil Branson
Mary Esther, FL
1
233
68
Raymond H. Chatham
Lawson, MO
1
47
69
Scotchman Coins
St. Louis, MO
2
Coin Dealer
70
Murray Schwartz
Nyack, NY
1
71
C. S. Lanham, Jr.
Arlington, VA
1
72
Charles R. Hardy III
Springfield, PA
1
73
Virginia's Coin Shop
Peoria, IL
1
Coin Dealer
74
Syracuse Coin & Supply
Syracuse, NY
7
Distributor
75
J. J. Teaparty Coin
Boston, MA
3
Coin Dealer
92
Name
Residence
Books
EAC
#
Comments
76
Virginia's Coin Shop
Peoria, IL
i
2nd order
77
Harry W. Bass, Jr.
Dallas, TX
i
78
Delbert E. Schmidt
St. Paul, NE
i
79
Mason-Dixon Coin
Exchange
Baltimore, MD
2
Coin Dealer
80
P & M Coin Sales
Fair Lawn, NJ
1
Coin Dealer
81
Henry Christensen, Inc.
Madison, NJ
1
Coin Dealer
82
Louis C. Sass
Miami, FL
1
276
83
Joe Scherschel
Flint Hill, VA
1
84
Joseph Kaczmar
Chicago, IL
1
85
Paul W. Paterson
New Shrewsbury, NJ
1
103
86
Roger P. Hurlburt, Jr.
Lexington, MA
1
73
87
Stanley R. Trychel
Toledo, OH
1
104
88
Brian Altman
Brighton, MA
1
106
89
A. J. Modarelli
Akron, OH
1
118
90
Richard Abel & Co.
Zion, IL
1
Coin Dealer
91
John W. Adams
Boston, MA
1
66
92
Ralph C. Langham
Peekskill, NY
7
178
2nd order
93
House of Stuart, Ltd.
Kansas City, KS
1
Coin Dealer
94
Richard B. Knight
Winchester, MA
1
245
95
C. F. Gordon, Jr.
Inverness, FL
1
39
96
William H. Roberson, Jr.
Lake Park, FL
1
97
Terry Lee Imports
Fort Lauderdale, FL
1
Coin Dealer
98
Ye Olde Book Shoppe
Newark, NJ
3
Book Dealer
99
Quality Coins
Randalstown, MD
1
Coin Dealer
100
Robert Shalowitz
Baltimore, MD
1
260
100a
Richard Gross
Baltimore, MD
1
100b
Sam Stein
Baltimore, MD
1
93
WARREN A. LAPP. M.D., F.A.CS.
731 CAST 22nd STREET
BROOKLYN. NEW YORK 11210
January 15, 1272
Dear Roger:
I am enclosing my check for $13.50 in payment for
your book on half cents which arrived Thursday. I insist
that you let me pay you for my copy.
I am accepting the other copy in behalf of EAC for
the library collection, and will forward it the next day
or so to John Wright for inclusion in the EAC Library. John
is the Librarian. I thought that I would also ask John to
review your book and will include it in the next issue of
P-W. Even the first book arrived too late to get it out for
review and in time to enter the review into the Jan. 15
issue. Bill Smith* s review will be in the Jan. 15 issue,
however.
I am very much impressed by your work and am happy to
add your book to my numismatic library. You have done a
lot of work in compiling the history, data, etc. and the
end result is quite an improvement aver all past books on
half cents. Wo doubt you* re going to be the new Dr. Sheldon
for the little sisters!
Enjoyed meeting you and your son at the EAC meeting
on December 30 sorry that we didn*t get more time to chat
but I had promised to see that Dr. Sheldon and Mrs. Pa6chal
got a ride home.
P-W should be arriving shortly and thi6 issue looks lite
a very good one, and there is a lot of excellent material on
hand already for the March lo issue. Getting material in
early is wc nderful. ... saves a lot of last minute work.
Take care. Best wishes for a healthy and happy and
prosperous 1972.
Regards,
Over the next 10 years the book continued to sell steadily, with Roger having to tell customers that he
was “sold out” before he published his second edition in 1982. According to letters in his collection, there
were 1400 copies left in 1973 22 , he financially broke even in 1975 23 , there were 400 copies left in 1976 24 ,
and only 36 copies remained in 1 98 1 25 . Cohen considered the production and selling of his book a “full-
22 Weber letter op cit
23 Letter to John Wright dated 10/25/1976
24 Letter to John Cogan dated 10/25/1976
25 Letter to Andrew S. Rosen dated 10/23/1981
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time job in my spare time” 26 , and for his second edition published in 1982, his book was sold through a
distributor.
I will present an exhibit this spring at the EAC Convention in Buffalo on some of the literature and
material surrounding the numismatic career of Roger Cohen. As the years pass, the EAC members who
knew Roger become fewer. If anyone has stories or information about Roger that they would be willing to
share with me, I will be an eager listener. Look me up at the convention, email me at
rskdrkl985@sbcglobal.net or call me at 314-821-9974.
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THE NIGHT BEFORE EAC
Nathan Markowitz
Original May 10, 201 1
Restrike version May 19, 201 1
Twas the night before EAC
And all through the house
As security gets settled
For their first night’s watch
Not a creature was stirring
Not even my computer mouse
The boys of 94 peruse coppers
Drinking single malt scotch
The coppers were jacketed
And all put to bed
Indeed owning the best coins
Does not define success
As visions of new choice cents
Danced round collectors heads
Rather camaraderie and learning
Clearly delineate the best
For soon all the copper weenies
Would meet in one place
The best of what drives us
To return here each year
And share stories and noshings
Until blue in the face
And sit with fellow collectors
Drinking beer after beer
Scrapping and haggling
With their limited funds
And now home to spouses we go
With wallets so light
They rejoice with each purchase
If even just one
Until tradition repeats next year
To all a good night.
REGION 7 EAC MEETING AT LONG BEACH
Bryan Yamasaki
A Region 7 EAC meeting was held at the Long Beach Coin Expo on Friday, February 3, and
began promptly at 7:00 PM. Twelve members attended. As per tradition, each member stated his
or her name and briefly described their numismatic interests. There was no new business other
than the announcement that the January issue of Penny-Wise had been released. No one had yet
received their copy as of the coin show. Dan Demeo reminded everyone to bring their passports,
if they planned to visit Niagara Falls on the Canadian side during the 2012 Buffalo, NY, EAC
Convention.
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Bill Noyes then gave a stimulating presentation of the historical and numismatic events
leading up to the recent discovery (or perhaps rediscovery) by Tom Deck of what is now called
the 1825 Newcomb 5 large cent. Bill provided each attendee a handout containing pictures
(obverse and reverse) and attribution guide of the 1825 N5. Bill, and others, now believe that
Tom’s coin is probably “an example of the long unknown die combination called A-5 (N5) by
Frank Andrews in his seminal work on 1816-57 large cents written in the 1880’s.” It appears that
Mr. Andrews has finally been vindicated nearly 130 years later! Questions and comments
concerning the 1825 N5 (mainly from Gary Rosner and Julian Leidman) followed the
presentation. So far, no other examples of the 1825 N5 have been found, including in a check of
Numistudy.
John Duff asked about a coin with holes in the center, and this led to a discussion, mainly by
Bill Noyes, regarding the many alternative uses of large cents such as clock gears, tools
(screwdrivers), jewelry, and even toys. The conversation then morphed into an introductory
discussion about English Conder Tokens.
Overall, it was a fun evening as Bill Noyes is a natural teacher and walking numismatic
encyclopedia. Thanks, Bill for putting on a great presentation on short notice. The meeting was
adjourned at 7:55 PM.
Gary Rosner Los Angeles, CA
Nancy Yamasaki Long Beach, C A
Phil Moore Northridge, CA
Tom Reynolds Omaha, NE
Bill Noyes Cape Cod, MA
Dan Demeo Torrance, CA
Attendees
Jim McGuigan Pittsburgh, PA
Doug Bird Hermosa Beach, CA
Ron Shintaku Long Beach, CA
John Duff Los Angeles, CA
Julian Leidman MD
Bryan Yamasaki Long Beach, CA
2012 EAC CONVENTION LARGE CENT HAPPENING
David Johnson
The 2012 annual Large Cent Happening will start right after the reception on Thursday evening.
Monitors and members planning to exhibit coins, please plan on arriving as early as possible, so
than we may get table assignments and exhibitor registration paperwork completed in time to
start.
Raw coins get handled at Happenings. If you are one that does not want his/her coin to be
handled, please plan on bringing your coin in an air-tite or similar protective holder where the
coin can be adequately viewed.
I am happy to announce the selections the 2012 Large Cent Happening in Buffalo. All of the
selections are first timers for a Happening, except the ’22 N9, which was last seen in 1999.
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1794 S-39. “Marred Field” R6. Seen with a light reverse crack progressing to a heavy crack.
Later heavy reverse buckling in the final die state.
1802 S-241 Rl. Stemless. Double Fraction bar. Dropped last S in STATES. Obverse clashing,
and several nice die states here, from perfect to reverse with breaks above OF and then in the
terminal die state another break above TATE.
1812 S-291 R2. Again, some nice die variations with clashing and various stages of obverse
cracks.
1817-N17 R4. Various stages of reverse die cracks and a reverse break at TATES in the final
state.
1822 N-9 R5-. Various stages of reverse die cracks. . . to a rim break at TES
1846 N-15. R4. A neat late date variety exhibiting obverse and reverse cracks, including a
retained CUD and CUD breaks.
It’s important to note that the Happening is not just about seeing the best and highest graded
coins (although that’s fun), but also about having the opportunity to view all the cool die states
and stages lined-up together. If you have interesting or tough die states to share, please plan on
bringing them to the Happening.
Thanks to all for the many great responses received. Choosing the top six wasn’t easy, but
hopefully all will enjoy seeing the above varieties at the 2012 Happening. I appreciate your
taking the time to submit suggestions.
LASTLY. I need more helpers to pull this off. Monitors and someone to help out at the sign-up
table. Please contact me at davidjohnsonl798@gmail.com.
2012 HALF CENT HAPPENING VARIETIES
Mike Spurlock
Here are the varieties for the 2012 Half Cent Happening in Buffalo. This is the 27 year of Half
Cent Happenings. How many of you have attended all of them? The varieties selected this year have
not been viewed for at least 20 years, and some have never been part of the Happenings. We will run
the gamut from common to very rare. Most collectors should have a variety or two, so please bring
yours.
The Happening will start right after the Reception on Thursday evening. Please come as early as
possible if you have coins to show. Please have your coins in a holder if you do not want them to be
handled or drooled upon. Due to the fact that we have two varieties with edge lettering this year, we
are considering disqualifying any coin brought in an independent grading service, s slab. Any coins
brought in slabs are also subject to being released from captivity. (Just kidding, Jim!)
1794 Clb: According to my records, we have not specifically selected a vaunted “B” Girl for
a Happening. We needed to remedy that glaring oversight, so I chose the most common
(oxymoron) of the 1794 edge letter variants. The 1794 Clb has commonly been judged to
be a Rarity 6, but my research over the past few years has identified 35 examples. By my
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reckoning, that now makes the coin a Rarity 5+; still a very hard coin to locate. Oh, and
half of the known population grades VG or less, so don’t be afraid to bring an ugly one!
1795 C2a: This variety was last seen in the Happening of 1987. This is a very aesthetically
pleasing variety of half cent and is a Redbook variety known as the “Punctuated Date,
with Lettered Edge.” Because of this, some of the nicest examples of the variety have
been captured by members of the Evil Empire commonly known as Type Collectors. The
coin is estimated to be a R3 so there are still plenty to go around. There are a couple of
really rare die states, so bring them if you have them.
1804 Cl: This variety has not been seen at a Happening since 1992. Twenty- five years ago,
this coin was thought to be a R5. Many more have been found and it is now considered to
be R3. Most examples of this variety are below Very Fine. It is also very hard to find a
choice one.
1805 C3: This variety was last seen in the Happening of 1987. The coin is considered to be
R4, but see how long it takes to find a Choice one! Finding a coin with nice color and/or
surfaces is almost a Herculean task. If you bring a choice one, be prepared to receive
several on-the-spot purchase offers! Most specimens are in low or very low grade, so
don’t leave your ugly ones at home.
1828 Cl: This variety has never been seen at a Happening. This is a common coin, but an
uncirculated coin with red is very hard to locate. If you have an example of the EDS of
this coin, please bring it. Most will not have seen one before.
1852 Proofs: The 1852 proofs have never been seen at a Happening. The Original Strikes
with four large berries are exceedingly rare. There are over 100 examples of Restrikes
with small berries, some of which are obviously from a later striking of the same two
dies. The reverse seems to have been used to strike most of the rest of the first restrikes,
although nobody knows exactly when that occurred. Certainly it occurred on more than
one occasion, prior to 1869 when the dies were confiscated and destroyed. (Thanks to
Rick Coleman, “official” keeper of knowledge of proof half cents, for the above
information.)
Please e-mail me at halfcentl@yahoo.com, or call me at 479-880-6435 if you can help out at the
Happening.
COLONIAL HAPPENING AT EAC, BUFFALO
The COLONIAL HAPPENING has typically been a social time where we share coins we
have brought along for discussion. This year, with the convention being not too far (but not
walking distance) from Machin’s Mills in NY, I’d like to ask those attending to bring along their
Machin’s coins for study. AND, Ed like to ask everyone to bring any colonial item (paper or
coin or medal or exonumia) for study too. These items can be an unusual die state, die error,
unusual planchet, a new acquisition, a coin you have questions about... bring anything. But
please attend, whether you bring something or not.
Are you concerned about others handling your coins? Don ’t be\ We set up a projector and
camera and just project the image on a screen so everyone sees the coin and can comment. The
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quality of the images are excellent and we can see even fine details. So please attend on
Thursday night and prepare to enjoy an informal time of colonial numismatic fun. If you have
any questions, please call or email.
Ray Williams
609-587-5929
njraywms@optonline. net
PS Those attending the other Happenings are welcome to duck in and out as you have the time
to do so. All are welcome!
BUFFALO 2012 EAC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Nathan Markowitz
On behalf of the Early American Coppers Club all attendees are invited to attend the educational
presentations outlined below. Please note that this year we will not have a formal Friday evening
program, but will send off our membership to an open evening after a musical presentation by
Niagara County deputy historian Ron Cary. I look forward to seeing you all in Buffalo.
Friday May 4, 2012
Noon: Mark Borckardt: “When Was the War of 1812?”
1PM: Greg Heim: “The Reality of Die Variety/Marriage Attribution”
2PM: Howard Spencer Pitkow: “My Sojourn in China and Hong Kong — Acquiring Counterfeit
U.S. Copper Large Cents”
3PM: Bill Eckberg: “Men at Work: The Mint in 1793”
4PM: Steve Carr: “Misaligned Die Large Cents”
5:30PM Ronald Cary: “18 th Century Tavern Music of the Niagara Frontier”
Music presentation with cash bar
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Noon: Franklin Noel: “Coinage, Sovereignty, and The Birth of The Republic”
1PM: John Kraljevich: “Money and Medals of Early Upstate New York”
2PM: Chuck Heck: “The Buffalo Copper Connection”
3PM: Mark Borckardt: “Who Am I?: An Interactive Numismatic Seminar”
4PM: Pete Smith: “The Starred Reverse Cent and 1792 Half Dime: Conducting Pedigree
Research with Current Resources”
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Convention Co-Chair Nick Gampietro reminds members attending the Buffalo Convention who
desire pickups at the airport, to contact him with their arrival times, flight numbers, and cell
phone numbers. He may be reached at ngampietro57@yahoo.com , or at (716) 359-6041.
BOYS OF 94 IN BUFFALO NY - MAY 2, 2012
Chuck Heck
There is still room for several more people to attend the Wednesday evening event. We will
meet at 4:30 in the lobby area of the hotel and travel to the Buffalo Erie County Historical
Society for a 5pm viewing of their 1794 (and other) Large Cents. Afterwards the meeting will
continue back the Adams Mark hotel where food and drinks and some interesting “stuff’ will be
shown.
Bring anything of 1794 interest and we will be sure to photo, discuss, and display anything
you like.
Remember — if you love 1794 Large Cents you should come to this event. People have said
“But I’m not a Boy of 94”! All it takes is LOVE! If you love 1794 Large Cents, then you are a
Boy of 94.
To reserve a spot call me at 561-628-5345 or e-mail me at check48@comcast.net .
ADDITIONAL HISTORIC OPPORTUNITIES IN BUFFALO
Scott Barrett
In addition to the many opportunities listed in the January Penny-Wise (see "What to Do in
Buffalo, New York," pp. 33-37), we have now firmed up the history tour for Friday, May 4. This
will include Cobblestone architecture and the Erie Canal. We will depart Buffalo at 9:30 AM and
arrive at the Cobblestone Museum complex in Albion at 10:30 AM. Transportation is available
with a van provided by Nick Gampietro, or perhaps in rental cars, depending on how many
people sign up.
The tour of the Cobblestone Museum complex will be hosted by Deborah Brundage, the
Museum Director, see http://www.cobblestonemuseum.org/. That will take about 90 minutes.
Following that, we can break for lunch at the Village Inn (a three minute walk from the
museum), or go directly to the next portion of the tour where Bill Lattin, the Orleans County
Historian, will take us back through Medina, showing us Cobblestone homes and parts of the
Canal. We'll go along the Canal from Medina to Lockport. We'll conclude in Lockport; from
there, people can choose to go back to Buffalo or head north to see Niagara Falls. Please note
that if you're planning on going to Niagara Falls, Ontario, you must have a passport.
Please contact Scott Barrett for further information and to sign up for the tour. E-mail
lawman3212@aol.com or cell phone 317-431-1249.
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In addition, I'd like to call your attention to the fact that Buffalo is the home of the Albright-
Knox Art Gallery, a world-class art museum. Their collection includes one of Edward Hicks's
paintings of Peaceable Kingdom, circa 1848. See http://www.albrightknox.org for additional
details on this masterwork, as well as for further details of the gallery's collection. I'd encourage
you to visit!
See you in Buffalo!
IN MEMORIAM: HANK SPANGENBERGER, EAC #2816
Long time Dayton-Kettering Coin Club member and nationally prominent numismatist Hank
Spangenberger passed away on March 7, 2012. He was 79. Hank considered himself a collector
of anything unusual, interesting, or rare with the professional title of Numismatist. His interest in
coins surfaced as a youngster when he joined the Dayton Coin Club in 1947 and he continued in
this career for the remainder of his life.
He was a lifetime member of the American Numismatic Association, and past Historian for the
ANA. He received the "Writer's Award" from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He was also a
member of The Rittenhouse Society and won the Numismatic Ambassador's Award. President
Ford appointed Spangenberger to the 1976 Assay Commission, the first Daytonian to receive this
honor in the 1 84 year history of the commission.
He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly thirty years, Marcia Gastineau. He is survived by
his brother John Spangenberger; John's son Richard and daughter Sue Frisbee; Henry's sons:
Douglas, Matthew, and Gregory; his daughter, Heather and son-in-law Tom Murray. Their
children, Meghan, Jason, and Jacob, and by his long time friend and companion Phyllis
Thompson.
—Heath MacAlpine.
IN MEMORIAM: HERMAN HALPERN, EAC #2226
I just learned that Herman Halpem died sometime in August 2011. I met Herman 15-20 years
ago in a coffee shop in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He noticed my reading a coin publication at the
counter and a great friendship was bom. I unfortunately found him a few years after his large
cent collection had been auctioned off, but his stories of the late ‘70s and early to mid ‘80s were
priceless.
These stories included Del Bland, Dennis Loring, Ted Naftzger, Doug Smith, Tony Terranova,
Norman Stack, Robbie Brown and others I can't remember. I was a good listener and probably
should have taken notes because I knew this day would come, and it's now all lost. He was a
great gentleman and a fantastic storyteller. I was amazed he could remember all the little things
he related in these stories. Most of these conversations took place inside his Irish pub in NYC. I
guess one of his best accountings was that of buying the 1794 cents from Harold Bareford's
collection. He would invariably buy coins he couldn't afford and would borrow to pay for these
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coins. This would drive his wife, Dove, crazy— but he was right, usually. He amassed a
wonderful collection of large pennies as he called them, only to auction them off in March, 1988.
We've lost a great and wonderful man. He leaves his wife of many years, Dove, as well as a son
and daughter and many grandchildren.
—Victor Figlar
IN MEMORIAM: EUGENE C. BRAIG III, EAC #445
Gene Braig passed away on Monday January 16th, after a long battle with COPD related
disease. He is survived by his son Eugene and grandchildren who reside in Columbus, Ohio,
where Eugene does ecological research at The Ohio State University. Gene was well known for
his die state studies of the C-6 Half Cent reverse cuds and his interest in Half Cent and Magic
Tokens.
—Bob Bowser
Many of us have lost a friend. Eugene C. Braig III, age 69, of North Ridgeville, Ohio, passed
away Monday January 16, 2012 at Center Ridge Health Campus after suffering many years with
chronic lung disease. He was bom in Palo Alto, CA, and had resided in North Ridgeville the past
23 years after living in Cleveland. He earned his master's degree in business administration from
Baldwin Wallace College. Gene was a member of numerous local & national collectors’
associations, and was a Pinball enthusiast. He retired in 1998 from General Motors where he had
worked in Financial Administration at the Elyria, Parma and Michigan plants. Surviving are his
son, Eugene C. (Donna) Braig IV of Columbus; daughter-in-law Kim Braig of Sullivan;
grandchildren, Eugene V, Aurora, Brandon and Connor. He was preceded in death by his parents
Eugene II and Frances Braig, son Michael and grandson Michael Braig Jr.
—David Consolo
I regret to inform the copper fraternity that Gene Braig passed away on Monday Jan 16 . His
obituary can be found at the attached link : http://hosting-13309.tributes.com/show/eugene-c.-
braig-93134145
Gene was an advanced collector of half cents and was a recognized expert on them as well as
other areas of numismatics and exonumia. He was a contributor to Cohen’s text on half cents and
was a fixture at the EAC conventions. In recent years his health precluded him from attending
EAC and other coin shows. May he rest in peace.
—Terry Stahurski
I first met Gene in St. Louis in 1992. We attended the EAC Convention in St. Louis that year.
I purchased Norweb 1:24 from Ed Kucia, who had it on consignment from Gene. That interested
Gene. He could not stand to not know the person who had purchased such a cherry! He also
showed me at least three ’05 C-2s the next day. That caught my interest.
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Anyway, as it turned out, one of the other Norweb coins that I tried to purchase that day was
Norweb I: 22, the ’96 no pole. McGuigan would not sell it to me. I was stunned. Much later, I
found out that Gene was selling some other pieces, including the one I had purchased, in order to
cover his purchase of the ’96. And so the web began to weave itself. Many years later, I tried to
sell the ’96 on Gene’s behalf to its current new owner.
There are very few key people in the half cent world. Gene was key for both me and one or
two other serious half cent collectors. He plucked some key pieces from the Norweb sale. Just a
nice VG will do, especially when it is a ’97 C-3c. His collection, some of which passed through
my hands, now anchors other half cent collections.
I will miss my cranky old friend. I spoke to him about a month before he passed. He was
suffering badly, both mentally and physically. He told me that he had not been out of the house
for over a year.
I will cherish the civil war token he sent to me — free. It looks like a half cent. I never even
heard of one before I got it. He is in the provenance.
—Rick Coleman
REMEMBERING GENE BRAIG
Mike Packard
My friend Gene Braig died last January 16 at age 69. I’m not certain when I first met Gene,
but I am sure it must have been in 1978 or 1979 at a Suburban Washington Coin Show held
quarterly at a hotel in New Carrollton, Md. Gene was a member of what I termed the “Cleveland
Posse.” He, Gino Sanfillipo, Terry Starhurski, and Ed Kucia would regularly drive together from
the Cleveland Ohio area to the show, scour the floor for nice half cents, tokens, and whatever
else caught their fancies, and attend the EAC regional meetings. Gene always seemed to find a
nice, or rare, or nice AND rare half cent.
He usually carried a box of duplicates of mostly nice coins, some rare, that he offered at
prices I could not initially afford. However, through the years I purchased several coins from
him. Most, I neither need nor want to upgrade. A couple, I will probably end up losing money
on, but that is not really Gene’s doing. I paid the going rate for a couple of lower grade rare coins
that turned out to be more co mm on that we thought in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Many of
the new discoveries were nicer than the examples I purchased, and the values of my pieces have
declined to more appropriate levels. Such is the nature of collecting. We buy pieces for the
enjoyment they bring, and even if we end up losing money when we sell them, most of the value
we derive from them is in that enjoyment. Any financial gains are a secondary concern, at least
for many of us.
Gene was occasionally difficult to deal with. I recall one instance where he and a buyer had
reached agreement on the price of a coin Gene had for sale, but then Gene refused to accept the
collector’s check. It was not that Gene did not take checks or that he thought this check was bad,
it was because the check was essentially a cash advance on the buyer’s credit card. Gene did not
believe people should buy coins on credit. It did not matter that the buyer said he would pay the
card balance in full at the end of the month; Gene was not going to abet the now-no-longer buyer
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in living beyond his means. While Gene often drove hard bargains when selling, he would also
sell coins and supplies quite reasonably if it helped out someone of modest means.
Gene was a very astute collector whose knowledge benefited him with many cherry picks of
rare varieties or die states. If you showed him a coin, he would often explain the finer points of
variety or die state attribution. Gene loved die states, especially those of the 1804 C-6, whose
reverse die crumbled in stages around its lower and right edges. Gene expanded on the works of
Gilbert, Tom Katman, and Breen to identify the reverse die states of the C-6. (See his article,
“Reverse Die State Progression of the 1804 G-8, C6, B6 Half Cent,” in Penny-Wise, Vol. XXIV,
No. 3, May 1990, pp. 126-137.) He always wanted to own an example of Breen states XV and
XVI (with the cud over OF extending to the F and covering the OF, respectively) but he could
never find any. Finally, he had several examples made (cast counterfeits) of the Breen state XVI,
so he and his friends could have an example for their collections.
Gene usually had a twinkle in his eye and was something of an imp. He liked to play little
mind games with people just to see what their reactions might be. For example, if we were
having a grading exercise at the regional meeting, Gene might grade a coin 10 points higher or
15 points lower than the average grade. When asked why, he would say that was how he saw the
coin TODAY. Tomorrow he might (and often did) grade it differently. I viewed these antics as
Gene having fun, but also as Gene telling us to enjoy our coins and to not get too caught up in
whether your coin graded higher or lower than someone else’s. Grading is subjective, and as we
have found out numerous times at Half Cent Happenings, different people look for different
characteristics in their coins, be it color, surface, strike, die state, or whatever. Above all, Gene
seemed to want to have fun with his hobby.
Back at the 1986 EAC convention, Joe Kane and Bill Weber organized the first of what has
become an annual convention event, the Half Cent Happening. Gene, along with many other half
cent collectors, always participated if he was in attendance. While R. Tettenhorst and Jim
McGuigan tended to share top honors for the most desirable coin for most of the varieties shown,
Gene’s example would often be judged third or fourth most desirable and occasionally first or
second. Gene loved to share his enjoyment of half cents with others.
Gene was a heavy smoker, and that bad habit was the cause of his early death. He developed
emphysema about a decade ago, but decided he enjoyed smoking too much to give it up. As his
condition grew worse, he traveled to fewer and fewer shows. I think I saw him only 3-4 times in
the last decade. Still, I would look through his box of duplicates and bought a few. He sold his
coins, duplicates and first line set, privately several years ago. I learned a lot from Gene. I am
sorry he is gone, and I will miss him.
Braig Library to Benefit EAC
The attached list of Books & Catalogs is from our friend Gene Braig ’s Library. Many books
contain Gene’s penciled notes. I am working with Gene’s Family to see that the profits of the
sale of these items are donated to EAC to promote the mission of EAC, as the Board sees fit.
Please review the list, reserve your copy via e-mail ( dbconsolo@sbcglobal.net ) indicating that
your check (payable to David Consolo) is on the way and that you will subsequently pick up the
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item at EAC, Buffalo; OR, that you want me to mail the item(s) to you, including $5.00 for
postage. Please put “Braig” on the Message line of your e-mail.
Copper Quotes by Robinson #1-18 complete 49.00
PLUS Misc. issues (1 1, total) fun to study / review prices 3.00
Red, new, hard bound US HALF CENTS - GILBERT (orig. 1916) combined with
COINAGE OF 1973 CENTS AND HALF CENTS (orig. 1897) -SS CROSBY 25.00
1 X Breen Encyclopedia of US Half cents Red, new 35.00
Breen’s Encyclopedia of US Colonial & Proof Coins , new 55.00
1 X HARD BOUND, new, Cohen Collection of Half Cents catalog, Superior ’92, original cost
$150, with plates & receipt of Braig 100.00
IX Penny Whimsy, like new w/ cover 49.00
New Book, The Copper Coins of Massachusetts H. Ryder 15.00
CATALOGS: LARGE CENTS
2009 The Ted Naftzger Collection of Mid Dates Part II, Goldberg 4.00
2009 The Dan Holmes Collection of Early Dates, Part I, Goldberg 4.00
2011 “ “ “ “ of Late Dates, Part III 4.00
CATALOG: HALF CENTS
2011 The Whister Collection of Half Cents , Goldberg 8.00
CATALOGS: COMBINED & MISCELLANEOUS COPPERS
1996 The Scott Barnes Sale, U.S. Colonials 5.00
1995 TWO(2) The John M. Griffee Sale U.S. Colonials, w/ The First Annual 4-C Convention
Sale, CVM & Grellman 5.00
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CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP
The following persons have applied for membership in EAC since the last issue of Penny-
Wise. Provided that no adverse comments on any particular individual are received by the
Membership Committee before the July 2012 issue of P-W, all will be declared elected to full
membership at that time. Chairman of the Membership Committee is Rod Burress, 9743
Leacrest, Cincinnati, OH 45215.
Name
City, State
Member Number
Mark Nanney
Tucson, AZ
6061
Steven Miller
New York, NY
6062
David Page
Pierre, SD
6063
Allen Beiler
New Holland, PA
6064
Ray Sierra
Tampa, FL
6065
Matt Draiss
Athens, NY
6066J
Steven Small
Ontario, CA
6067
Angelito Cruz
Albuquerque, NM
6068J
Alan Cary
Reedley, CA
6069
Joan Cline
New Market, TN
6070
Robert Mook
Washington, DC
6071
Justin Teoh
Lincroft, NJ
6072
Jerry Wendel
Columbia, MO
6073
Timothy Betterly
Dover, DE
6074
Christopher F. Pretsch
Pittsburgh, PA
6075
Eric Whetstone
Arlington, TX
6076
Keith Holler
Erie, PA
6077
George Hoffmeister
Beaver Crossing, NE
6078
Andrew Cignatta
Guildford, CT
6079
108
TWO CLAPP-ANS CENTS RESURFACE
Bob Grellman
While cataloging the J. R. Frankenfield collection of Half Cents and Large Cents in 2000 I
discovered two cents that appeared to be from among the many pieces allegedly stolen by Dr.
Sheldon from the Clapp- ANS collection. These were a 1794 S-56, Noyes photo #27957 (Foster
Lardner, B. Max Mehl 6/1930: 15-Dr. William H. Sheldon, Stack’s 10/38:289-Clapp-ANS-Dr.
Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., NN ll/73:377-Dr. Edward Bush-Myles Z. Gerson-Denis
Loring-Jack Robinson (privately) 1988-J. R. Frankenfield); and an 1803 S-243, Noyes photo
#20692 (Henry C. Hines-T. James Clarke-James O. Sloss, Abe Kosoff 10/21/59:76-R. E
Naftzger, Jr., 1990 EAC Sale, lot 66-J. R. Frankenfield). I returned these two cents to J.R. and
they were replaced with inferior examples in his auction (McCawley & Grellman
Auctions/Superior 2/17/2001). J.R. elected to retain the two cents, and he passed away on
January 24, 2011.
In early 2011 I was contacted by Eric Frankenfield, J.R.’s son, and was asked to appraise the
remaining coins in J.R.’s estate, which included an extensive collection of small cents through
silver dollars (these were sold in the 1-2 September 2011 Goldberg auction). At that time I told
Eric about the two suspected Clapp-ANS cents. After a bit of searching he discovered both
pieces in a box of coins sold sight-unseen to Eric by J.R. years earlier. On each envelope J.R. had
written “throw in ocean.” If you knew J.R., then you know he wasn’t kidding.
I explained the ANS-Sheldon-Naftzger saga to Eric and he agreed to have me work with the
ANS to resolve the issue and keep the coins out of the ocean. What we were looking for was a
determination of whether or not one or both pieces was from the original Clapp donation to the
museum, and if so we wanted a simple exchange for the “switched-in” coin(s).
To that end I contacted the ANS and began the process, which took quite a bit of time. We
wanted a guarantee from the ANS that whey would provide the “switched-in” coin in return for a
Clapp-ANS coin. With that in hand I mailed the coins to the person handling the issue for the
ANS, their Deputy Director, Andrew Meadows.
The determination came quickly: both were from the Clapp-ANS collection. But there was
no “switched-in” coin for the S-56. Revealed in a subsequent letter from ANS, “According to the
terms of the settlement reached between ANS and Naftzger, ANS was paid the market value of
this coin and in return relinquished claim to title to the coin. We therefore propose to return this
coin to you unencumbered, unless your client would care to consider a donation to the ANS.”
The now-unencumbered Clapp-ANS 1794 S-56 and the “switched-in” 1803 S-243 were
received by me via FedEx on 31 January. The ANS retains the original Clapp-ANS 1803 S-243.
It’s a win-win, and I believe J.R. would have approved of the outcome.
109
SOLVING A COUNTERSTAMP MYSTERY
Bill Groom
Who among us doesn’t enjoy a good mystery? As a kid, come Saturday afternoon, I can
recall watching those old, black and white Sherlock Holmes and Charlie Chan movies on TV.
Years later, it was Columbo and CSI that beckoned; somewhere between which, I discovered the
mystery of counterstamps. For those of us who relish these curious coins, it’s the mystery that
largely draws our attention; and too, the possibility of solving that mystery.
A few years ago, I acquired a Hard Times token (HT-216) that displayed one G. BRIGGS
counterstamp. Brunk listed this or a similar, unattributed mark in 2003, B-1098, on an 1831 half
dollar. No picture of this mark was published. Rulau didn’t list this mark. “Briggs” is a relatively
common name within 1800‘s city directories. While the “G” likely stood for George, there were
certainly other possibilities. Consequently, the specimen shown here remained unattributed for
some time in my collection .... Until now, that is!
In 2011, I managed to locate another
example of the G. BRIGGS counterstamp
on an early Canadian copper. This mark was
accompanied by additional counterstamps:
S. HAWES. / PATENT. / STEEL.
Notice the G. BRIGGS counterstamp below
the Hawes markings on this early Canadian
token. Might Briggs have lived and worked in
South Shaftsbury, Vermont, too? Was there a
business connection between Hawes and
Briggs? Answers to these questions then
offered the possibility of solving the identity
of G. BRIGGS.
The host is an 1813 Nova Scotia halfpenny
token that is well worn. Silas Hawes was out
of business by 1828, and the counterstamp
was likely applied during or prior to that year.
Yet, it could have been applied at a later date.
Dating the application of a counterstamp, is a
matter of guesswork and probability.
110
According to the “ Directory of American Toolmakers ”, Silas Hawes was an early maker of steel
squares in South Shaftsbury, Vermont. This counterstamp matches markings found on Silas
Hawes’ squares.
Following the close of the War of 1812, Silas Hawes got the idea of making carpenter’s
squares out of steel. He proceeded to gather old, worn out saws from the surrounding area and
forge them into durable, steel squares. He enlisted the services of a local blacksmith named
Stephen Whipple to form the squares on his anvil. Whipple’s shop had a water-powered trip-
hammer that was utilized for the production. Hawes then sold the squares to traveling peddlers
who retailed them for six or seven dollars, apiece; this, a being quite a hefty price in those days.
This early success lead to a patent, and Hawes became the first manufacturer of these tools in the
U.S.; and, quite, possibly, the world. Other factories sprung up in the Shaftsbury area,
manufacturing the Hawes’ patent.
The information about Hawes was found in the “History of Bennington County, Vt.”
published in 1889. The text further related that George Briggs and one David Allen were
successors to Silas Hawes in 1828. Thus, the mystery of the G. BRIGGS counterstamp is now
solved.
++++++++++
As something of a postscript, this all lead to the solution of yet another counterstamp mystery.
Brunk lists two closely matched D.J. GEORGE counterstamped large cents, G-174 and G-175.
While both of those specimens display an eagle pictorial, one also reads CAST STEEL. Brunk
didn’t publish a photo of either one, nor did he attribute them in 2003. My recent find, pictured
below, is most likely that of the same issuer.
As was the case with Hawes and Briggs, one Dennis J. George is also noted in the “History of
Bennington County, Vt.” published in 1889. He reportedly founded the Eagle Square Company
in 1859 and became its president upon incorporation in 1864. Note the above “eagle” logo,
impressed upon the cent’s obverse; this, as was also applied to the company’s squares. A patent
search reveals that George patented three machines for graduating and making steel squares; this,
between 1849-54. The D.J. GEORGE counterstamp was applied to his products; perhaps too,
his machinery and/or his working tools. The use of counterstamped dates, in this case the 1854
date, is often associated with a patent. The use of dates/years is often a clue for those of us who
seek to attribute these counterstamped coins.
Ill
To sum up, there are now three issuers of counterstamps, a succession of square-makers, that are
attributed to South Shaftsbury, Vermont. All played important roles in the early industrial and
social development of that area. The Hawes’ counterstamp, which dates to his working years,
makes this one of the earliest pieces of Vermont exonumia extant. Then too, it’s quite possible
that the Briggs counterstamp is of Hard Times vintage. Should no later dated host coins with the
Briggs counterstamp surface in the future, its eventual placement within the Hard Times token
series is quite likely. Hmmm . . . another mystery awaits.
HOW BIG IS TOO BIG?
Mark Borckardt
The Mint Act of April 2, 1792 specified that the one cent coin would contain 264 grains of
pure copper, equal to 17.1069 grams. David Rittenhouse, Henry Voigt, and other Mint officers
quickly realized that the specified weight would create an exceptionally large coin.
Pure copper has a density of 8.94 grams per cubic centimeter. Therefore, the specified weight
yields a volume (weight divided by density) of 1.9135 cubic centimeters. At the 1792 standard, a
copper planchet with a thickness of 0.175 centimeter will have a surface area (volume divided by
thickness) of 10.9343 square centimeters. Using the formula for area of a circle (71 times r
squared), the theoretical radius of the planchet, 1.866 centimeters, gives a diameter of 3.732
centimeters, or 37.3 mm.
How does that size compare to a standard coin that is familiar to most collectors today?
Morgan silver dollars have a diameter of 3.81 centimeters and weight of 26.73 grams. Since
standard coin silver (90% silver, 10% copper) has a density of 10.335 grams per cubic
centimeter, the volume of a Morgan dollar is 2.0045 cubic centimeters. Using the formula for
area of a circle, the surface area of a Morgan dollar is 1 1 .4009 square centimeters. The thickness
is equal to volume divided by area, or 0.1758 centimeter (1.758 millimeter).
One cent coin at 1792 Mint Standard: 37.3 mm. diameter x 1.75 mm. thick.
Morgan silver dollar: 38.1 mm. diameter x 1.76 mm. thick.
Imagine for a moment that the large cents we collect today are virtually identical to the size
of a Morgan dollar.
LARGE CENTS CANNOT DANCE
Michael S. Shutty, Jr.
As I sit in my favorite coffee shop with a bold roast steaming in front of me, I find myself
toying with a handful of coins. For two dollars, I get a medium cup of joe, a quarter, two dimes
and several cents in change. I always examine the quarters first to see which states or parks are
112
represented. Next, I examine the cents to see if any of them are “shields” or “heritage” coins. The
dimes are viewed last: not much to see here.
I sometimes juggle the change in my hand like one does when waiting your turn in line to get
a refill. A second cup is only 35 cents. In this moment, I notice how a thin dime almost floats in
my palm. I cannot resist juggling it, testing the limits. Twenty cents is even more fun, as two
dimes can be made to shuffle over one another like dancers doing the salsa.
All this, from cheap refills and dancing dimes to checking the reverses of cents and quarters,
tells what it is like to spend coins in 2012. This is what numismatics is all about. Some of us
have spent years studying these impressions across time.
Yet, my coffee shop dalliances with these bits of metal are fleeting. All these musings will be
gone in a few moments. So much is lost in a day - like castles washed away in the tide. Our
memories are fragmentary at best; a collage of mismatched images is all that remains of our past.
We cannot go back and examine it. The twenty-cent salsa - so engrossing in that instant - is
forgotten.
We move on, into the future. In fact, if it was not for a few lingering experiences of having
had yesterdays, we would be unable to have any concept of history at all. And when we do look
back, we cannot help but reorganize our recollections in novel ways so that they make sense.
Hence, we tell stories, reshaping our past to conform to what is happening now. All history is
fiction. In this way, history has little to do with the past, but rather, is something we are
contemplating in the present moment.
So I wonder what it was like to spend a large cent in the late 1840s. As many numismatists, I
hold the cent in my hand and imagine that I am holding history. In this case, it is a sepia-toned
1 847 N 1 cent in very fine condition. But the cent is mute. The history - all the history - is in my
head. Ask any two early copper enthusiasts to imagine how it was to spend this 1 847 cent, and
you will get two very different tales. It does not matter if one collector has read more than the
other, as each tale tells more about the collector than the cent.
There are a few anecdotes about large cents in the 1850s. We know the gist of these reports
quite well. The cents were bulky and often dirty. They were used for all sorts of non-money
purposes: gears and washers for example. But the intimate interactions between large cents and
those who spent them are gone. They were fleeting events to begin with: like checking for
“heritage” cents or watching two dimes doing the salsa in your palm. A savvy copper enthusiast
might launch into a dissertation about the repunched date on the 1847 Nl, but despite this
distraction, he will get no closer to history.
One day I decided to challenge the passage of time. It was a cloudy, rather pensive,
afternoon, so I brought out my touchstone coins. I grasped a Morgan dollar in my hands and
admired its heft. A silver dollar cannot be juggled; I know this because I tried it. It just sits there:
heavy, full-bodied. I reprised the salsa with a couple of Liberty seated dimes - they danced
gracefully. Between these extremes, a juggled large cent just slides around your palm in a small
circle, lest you become too rambunctious, allowing it too much air and letting it get away. And
two cents: one just slid clumsily, atop of the other.
So this is how pocket change felt back then - folks lined up at the counter, juggling coins.
They discovered that large cents could not dance. I imagine that some folks tried for a moment
but just stopped lest one of them get away and roll under the counter. By giving the dance a
113
whirl, I had touched history, or so I imagined. I had come closer to history than any text could
bring me. I am sure that numismatic researchers may rise up to argue, but they, too, are
frustrated, as I am.
And so, we reach for our lens and go back to attributing die varieties. I realize that the history
I experienced on the dance floor was mine and mine alone. History is nothing more than thinking
about history in the present. There is no clear evidence that we even have a history. In fact, we
are not able to remember our own yesterdays accurately (as my wife frequently reminds me).
And if you ask someone near to validate the events of yesterday, they will mis-remember. Did I
get a refill, or did I just have one cup?
Has my 1 847 cent betrayed me? Can it tell me nothing about the past? Maybe it can, or so I
hope! But then again, it is all fiction anyway. It is not the truth I want; rather, as a collector of
early copper, I want to use my cents to transport me to a past of my own design. Nostalgia mixed
with yearnings for necromancy - it is a mysterious alchemy. One thing is for sure: old coins
allow us to touch something that feels permanent and stable in the moment. History is stability.
We can think anything we want about history, but it has already happened and is wholly
predictable up until the present moment.
My gosh! I am happy, and frustrated, that I collect coins and get to wade in this morass. I
think we all are richer for it, but we will not remember this tomorrow. And so, off I go, coaxing
large cents to dance, while admiring a couple of dimes doing the salsa.
FOREIGN COPPERS
USED BY THE EARLY AMERICAN COLONISTS AS COINAGE:
PART II— BRITISH FARTHINGS, HALF PENNIES AND IRISH HIBERNIA
Howard Spencer Pitkow
INTRODUCTION
In my 16 th article for P-W (Vol. XLV, No. 5, Issue #266) besides noting my primary large
cent variety collection, which I will discuss at the end of this publication, I listed approximately
40 other numismatic areas that have caught my collecting interest. Among these were foreign
coppers used by our forefathers as coinage during the late 17 th and 18 th centuries before the U.S.
mint was established. The Mint Act was passed by the U.S. Congress on April 2, 1792. As I
pointed out in my last publication, previous to the Mint Act, the coinage used by our forefathers
came in small part from individual state coinage but primarily from other countries. In Part 1 of
this series (October, 2011), I discussed the analogy between British 18 th century provincial
copper (Conder) tokens and U.S. Hard Times Tokens. I also mentioned that I had collected over
400 foreign coppers from the time period between 1670 and 1799 from England, Ireland, Spain,
Mexico, Peru, France, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal.
Although our forefathers used German thalers, French louis, Dutch ducats, British coppers
and Irish Hibernia the main coinage used by the early American colonists was the Spanish milled
dollar also known as the Pillar dollar or “piece of eight.” The milled dollar was valued at 8 reales
and was the predecessor of our own U.S. silver dollar. It was also issued in units of one-half,
114
one, two and four reales. Additionally, the 8 reale milled dollar was cut into its various reale
fractions and circulated in the public domain as small change in order to alleviate the coin
shortage experienced by the populus. From a historical perspective each reale was known as a
“bit” and worth approximately 12.5 U.S. cents. Hence, the common expression used today, of
referring to a U.S. quarter as “two bits” (i.e., two reales).
The purpose of this article is to narrow my foreign copper focus and discuss British farthings
and half pennies as well as Irish Hibernia coppers that were used as coinage by our forefathers.
The British coppers I possess from the various monarchies include those coins from the House of
Stuart (Charles II, 1660-1685; William and Mary, 1688-1694; and William III, 1694-1702) and
the House of Hanover (George I, 1717-1727; George II, 1727-1760; and George III, 1760-1820).
BRITISH FARTHINGS AND HALF PENNY COPPERS
As I have alluded to earlier, our forefathers used any foreign coinage they could find,
including British farthings and especially half pennies, as well as Irish Hibernia coppers — both
prior to and after the U.S. mint was established by Congress in 1792. In fact, foreign coins were
used as legal tender in conjunction with U.S. coinage until 1857, when their legal tender status
was finally removed.
In Table 1 the reader will note that coinage of British farthings was suspended 10 times
during the 18 th century. These periods include the sequences of 1701-1718, 1725-1729, 1738,
1741-1743, 1745, 1747-1748, 1751-1753, 1755-1770, 1772 and 1776-1798. Although these 10
discontinuations were for short periods of time, British farthings were minted for only 27 dates
during the 1700’s. I have collected 34 copper farthings for 23 of those 27 dates (85%). As noted
in Table 1 the four farthing dates that I am missing are 1722, 1723, 1730 and 1732. As for the
late 17 th century my collection consists of 14 farthings ranging from 1670 to 1699 representing
six dates (Table 1).
Along with the Spanish milled (Pillar) dollar, British half pennies were very prevalent as
coinage in the American colonies. When we consider my half penny series (Table 2) for the 18 th
century one can observe that half penny coinage was suspended for only five time periods,
compared to ten times for farthings. The discontinued sequences for the half pennies were 1702-
1716, 1725-1728, 1741, 1755 and 1776-1798. As illustrated in Table 2 half penny coppers were
produced for 42 years during the 1700’s. As the reader can ascertain I have collected 70 half
penny coppers which includes a complete date set for the 18 th century. For the late 17 th century I
also possess five copper half pennies for the years 1696, 1697, 1698 and 1699.
IRISH HIBERNIA COPPERS
“Hibernia” is the ancient name used for Ireland. The earliest Irish coins used in America
were the copper half pennies from the early 1600’s. In 1722 King George I of England (1717-
1727) signed a contract allowing William Wood to mint the Rosa Americana coins as well as
Hibernia copper farthings and half pennies for Ireland. However, the King neglected to consult
with the Irish Parliament about this authorization. The Irish, for many reasons including feeling
slighted and taken for granted, refused to accept these coins as payments. Many of these
unpopular coins produced in England for Ireland were then shipped to the American colonies
where they circulated widely as coinage.
Eventually, Wood’s Hibernia coinages of 1722-1724 were removed from circulation by the
British government. The Irish were devoid of official copper coins until George II (1727-1760)
115
authorized half pennies in 1736. In general, Hibernia coppers were minted from the 1600’s into
the early 19 th century.
My collection of 35 Irish coppers can be observed in Table 3. This total also includes three
Rosa Americana coppers (1722-1724). Specifically, for my Hibernia half pennies, I collect not
only genuine coppers but also contemporary counterfeits from the 18 th century (Table 3). It is
fascinating to compare the genuine and fake Hibernia coppers from the same year. Even though a
trained and experienced numismatist can distinguish between the two, one is amazed at the
expert craftsmanship given the prevailing technology at the time these reproductions were
produced. Since many of these counterfeit Hibernia coppers are in great demand they can
command a higher premium than the genuine coins.
LARGE CENT VARIETY UPDATE
Since my last detailed large cent update (818 varieties) in the March, 2011 issue of P-W,
(Vol. XLV, No. 2, Issue #263) I have acquired 25 new early date varieties. These coppers include
15 1794s (35 varieties), six 1796s including a R6 NC-1 (23 varieties), two 1797s (S122-R5+ and
S125-R5) (25 varieties), and two R5+1798s (SI 56 and SI 78) (42 varieties). Also I purchased
nine delisted cents. These additions were procured from the following EACers and non-EAC
dealers:
Anonymous dealer- a previously unattributed 1796 NC-1 (R6)
Jim Long- S22, S25, S32, S41, S44, S55, S57, S59, S61 (R4) and SI 56 (R5+)
Chris Young- S23 (R4+), S30 and S87
Jim Young- SI 22 (R5+), SI 25 (R5) and SI 78 (R5+)
Rod Burress- S43 and Sill (R5-)
Robert LaForme- S88 (R4) and five delisted varieties (1838-N13, 1847-N16, 1849 N15, 1850-
N 10, and 1852-N9)
David Johnson- S60 and four delisted varieties ( 1847-N25, 1848-N45, 1849-N13 and 1851-N32
non-EAC dealers- S50 (R5), S58, S90 (R5+) and S93
I am truly indebted to these individuals for their contributions.
For those of you who are interested and keeping score I now possess 843 varieties in my
PRIMARY large cent collection consisting of 235 early dates, 242 middle dates and 366 late
dates. If we include both my 23 DELISTED large cent (three middle and 20 late dates) and 63
half cent varieties I now have a total of 929 coppers. Additionally, when my DUPLICATE
collections are considered, I now possess 460 large cents and 45 half cents.
116
TABLE 1
BRITISH FARTHINGS (1670 - 1799) IN FOREIGN
COPPER COLLECTION 3 - 13 - 0
17 th CENTURY (14)
1735
1670
(2) 1736
(5) 1672
1737
(2) 1673
Discontinued (1738)
(2) 1675
1739
(3) 1694
1740
1699
Discontinued (1741 - 1743)
1744
18 th CENTURY (34)
Discontinued (1745)
1700
1746
Discontinued (1701 - 1718)
Discontinued (1747 - 1748)
(2) 1719
1749
(3) 1720
(2) 1750
(2) 1721
Discontinued (1751 - 1753)
1722 -NEED
(5) 1754
1723 -NEED
Discontinued (1755 - 1770)
1724
1771
Discontinued (1725 - 1729)
Discontinued (1772)
1730 -NEED
1773
1731
1774
1732 -NEED
1775
1733
Discontinued (1776 - 1798)
1734
(2) 1799
a total farthings (1670 - 1799) = 48
^includes 23 of 27 dates for 18 th century (85%)
c four farthings missing from 18 th century - 1722, 1723, 1730 and 1732.
( ) = total number per date or century
117
TABLE 2
BRITISH HALF PENNIES (1696 - 1799) IN FOREIGN
COPPER COLLECTION 3 ’ 15
17 th CENTURY (5)
1737
1696
(2) 1738
(2) 1697
(4) 1739
1698
(3) 1740
1699
Discontinued (1741)
1742
18 th CENTURY (70)
(2) 1743
(2) 1700
1744
(2) 1701
1745
Discontinued (1702 - 1716)
1746
1717
(2) 1747
1718
1748
1719
(2) 1749
1720
1750
1721
1751
1722
1752
(2) 1723
(2) 1753
(2) 1724
1754
Discontinued (1725 - 1728)
Discontinued (1755 - 1769)
1729
(3) 1770
(3) 1730
(4) 1771
1731
(2) 1772
1732
(4) 1773
1733
1774
1734
(2) 1775
1735
Discontinued (1776 - 1798)
1736
(2) 1799
a total half pennies (1 696 - 1 799) = 75
^complete date set of 42 coppers for 18 tt
' century
( ) = total number per date or century
TABLE 3
IRISH HIBERNIA AND ROSA AMERICANA COINS
IN FOREIGN COPPER COLLECTION 3
A-HIBERNIA (32)
1 - FARTHING
(2) 1766
1760
(2) 1769 b
1806
(2) 1775 b
2 - WOOD’S HALF PENNY
(2) 1 781 b
(6) 1723
(2) 1782 b
3- HALF PENNY
(2) 1805
1682
(2) 1822
1694
1738
4 -PENNY
1741
1805
(2) 1742
1744
B - ROSA AMERICANA (3)
1747
1 - PENNY
1760
1722
1723
2 -TWO PENCE
1724
a total Irish coppers = 35
^consists of one genuine and one contemporary
counterfeit
( ) = total number of coppers
In my next publication for P-W I will discuss one of two topics. The first concerns the series
of events which enabled me to discover my second non-collectible, a 1796 NC-1 (R6). (The first
was a 1797 NC-5: see Vol. XLII, No. 6, Issue #249, November, 2008). This 1796 copper,
purchased for less than 100 dollars, was amongst a hoard of unattributed large cents I obtained
from an anonymous dealer at a coin show.
The alternative article for P-W describes my critical analysis of the flaws and diagnostic
inaccuracies I found in Chinese counterfeit U.S. large cents. These “reproductions” were
purchased from a Beijing coin store during a two week vacation to China and Hong Kong in the
Fall of 2011.
REFERENCES:
Breen, Walter.: Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. Doubleday, 1988
119
I’ll
Coins of England and the United Kingdom (45 edition). Spink and Son Ltd., London, 2010.
Yeoman, R.S.: A Guide Book of United States Coins (64 th edition), edited by Kenneth Bressett.
Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Ga., 201 1
THE BEST SECURED COIN SHOWS FOR 2011
Steven Ellsworth
I personally attended 46 coin shows during 2011 where I paid particular attention to the
various types of security that are provided to both dealers and the public. In addition, I received
numerous reports from across the nation from coin dealers, collectors, and crime-incident reports
from the media and law enforcement sources.
During 2011 we had a murder, several home invasions, numerous roadside robberies, and too
many show-event thefts to give an accurate count. Again, we had several armed robberies and
assaults that resulted in several shootings. There definitely was an increase in the number of
crimes perpetuated against our hobby compared to previous years. Many were due to
dealer/collector lapses or lack of their own security procedures. The level of violence and
brazenness of criminals continues to escalate. Looking forward to 2012 and with continued
strains on the economy, we will most likely see a high level of crimes with theft and robbery
being directed at our hobby — because of the liquidity of stolen coins, the amount of money
involved, and the relative ease of perpetuating the crime as compared to other criminal
endeavors. We are lucrative targets for the criminal, especially since our hobby is advertised in
so many local publications, as well as road signs, offering to buy gold and coins.
As in previous years, the single greatest risk to a dealer or collector is being followed after a
coin show or event, and then leaving their coins in an unintended vehicle. I have continually
advised against this practice for over 20 years; yet, it remains the single largest circumstance in
which numismatic losses occur. The loss through theft is mentally traumatic and usually an
enormous financial drain on its victims. Some dealers are virtually wiped out, and, a collector
who has his or her entire collection stolen usually quits the hobby.
Very few dealers and even fewer collectors spend the time and money needed to actually
minimize the risks associated with our hobby, and even fewer take the effort to train for it. It is
important to realize that security is an individual’s own responsibility and not that of the show
promoter, sponsors, the police or government. It is up to every dealer to have a written plan on how
they will handle the array of security threats. Many dealers tell me they are “real careful” when they
are transporting coins. To which I ask, what is your plan if this or that threat occurs? In nearly all
cases they have not thought that far ahead and have no idea what they will do. Their plan they say
will evolve by their SOP (seat of the pants), but in reality they will most likely be like a deer in the
headlights if they are confronted with a theft.
For the first time, the ANA is offering in 2012, an in-depth five-day security course at their
Colorado Springs, Summer Seminar Sessions. The course is titled "Think Like A Thief" Security for
Dealers and Collectors. The course is orientated toward the professional numismatist. It will teach
students how to manage the risks of theft, burglary, robbery, or personal injury to individuals, firms
and their families as a coin collector or operator of a coin business. Topics include home, office,
120
store and coin show security, as well as an in-depth study on how to travel safely by car, taxi, and
airplane when transporting collections and coin inventory. Storage security, personal protection,
non-lethal, improvised weapons, and the use of deadly force, as well as legal ramifications will be
addressed in depth. Case studies and active role-playing will be emphasized. Students will write a
basic security plan for themselves and their families, complete NRA 1st steps and Personal
Protection in the Home, as well as leam basic firearm safety and familiarization. A written
examination for certification is required and meets the Proof of Training requirement for most states’
concealed weapons laws. The course is being taught by Doug Davis of Numismatic Crime
Information Center, Sgt. Scott Morgan, a Pima County Deputy Sheriff, and by me. When faced with
the loss of a dealer’s number one asset, this course may be the very best investment or buy a dealer
can make. The course is limited as to the number of students, but at least there will be some dealers
“out there” who may begin to act as a deterrent to the crimes against our hobby and businesses. The
target we present to the criminals may just not be so inviting. For more information contact: Susan
McMillan, ANA Education 719.482-9850, Email: mcmillian@money.org.
I actually attended most of the shows listed below. Some that are listed, I was unable to
attend; but on these I received excellent, detailed reports from multiple attendees. However, of
those we have seen or have verified reports on, I would rate, in alphabetical order, these as the
“ The Best of the Best in Coin Show Security for 2011 ”. In compiling this list, I not only took
into account the show's security itself, but in addition, the awareness and concern of the
sponsors, as it related to security. My objective is to keep security matters on the "front burner"
to help dealers and collectors manage the risks posed from theft.
• Alabama Numismatic Association, Bessemer, AL . (named in past years). Security is
continuously provided by uniformed Bessemer City Police. Unloading and loading at the
convention center is observed and supervised by a police presence and provides better than
average security for dealers. Law enforcement personnel continually walk the show floor to
discourage shoplifting. During the show, patrol cars are highly visible to all attendees.
Registration and nametags are required for all attendees.
• Bay State Coin Show (C4), Boston, MA . (named in past years). Security is continuously
provided by a private security firm and several off-duty deputy sheriffs. Security is provided
in and out of the facility during set up and breakdown. Unloading and loading is under
watchful eyes of security personnel. Security personnel continually walk the show floor to
discourage shoplifting. A registration fee and nametags are required for all attendees.
• Blue Ridge Numismatic Association, Dalton, GA . (named in past years). Security is
continuosuly provided by off-duty uniformed Walker County Sheriffs, off duty GBI agents &
private security. Security is provided in and out of the facility during set up and breakdown.
Unloading and loading is under the watchful eyes of security personnel. Security personnel
continually walk the show floor to discourage shoplifting. A registration fee and nametags
are required for all attendees.
• Florida United Numismatist Convention, Tampa Bay, FL (named in past years). Security
is provided by a private security contractor and supplemented by numerous off-duty
uniformed Orange County Police. Security is vigilant in and out of the facility during set up
and breakdown. Security is triple layered with uniformed, plain-clothes, and video
surveillance. Parking areas are also patrolled before, during, and following the show.
Registration and nametags are required for all attendees.
121
• Georgia State Numismatic Association, Dalton, GA . (named in past years). Security is
continuously provided by off-duty uniformed Walker County Sheriffs, off duty GBI agents
and private security. Security is provided in and out of the facility during set up and
breakdown. Unloading and loading is under watchful security personnel. Security personnel
continually walk the show floor to discourage shoplifting. A registration fee and nametags
are required for all attendees.
• Long Beach Coin Expo. Long Beach, CA . (named in past years). Security is provided by
off-duty Long Beach Police with identifiable “Security” jackets. Ample security is provided
in and out of the facility during setup and breakdown, with numerous plain-clothes officers
continually working the floor from the moment the show opens until it closes. All security
officers have are tied into a monitored communication net. In addition, the convention
facility allows for overhead “cat-walk” patrols to deter shoplifting. A registration fee and
nametags are required for all attendees.
• Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN), Monroeville, PA . Security is provided
by a private security firm wearing distinctive company clothing. Security is provided in and
out of the facility during set up and breakdown. Registration and nametags are required for
all attendees. Unloading and loading is under watchful eyes of security personnel. As with all
shows, collectors and dealers leaving the watchful eyes of show security must immediately
implement their own individual plans to avoid theft!
• North Carolina Numismatic Association, Hickory, NC Security is provided by Hickory
City Police. Security is excellent during setup and officers escort you to your vehicle during
breakdown. Uniformed officers keep constant vigilance of the bourse during the show to
deter shoplifting. (In a previous year, a "snatch-grab-run" was foiled with an arrest made.)
Officers are well equipped with all the necessary weapons and equipment to handle most any
incident. Registration and nametags are required for all attendees.
• Texas Numismatic Association, Fort Worth, TX Security is provided by Doug Davis of
Numismatic Crime Inf ormation Center and off duty Fort Worth Sheriff Deputies. Security is
excellent from setup to breakdown with both uniform and plan-clothes officers keeping
constant vigilance of the bourse, parking areas, entrances and exits of the facility. Officers are
well equipped with all the necessary weapons and equipment to handle most any incident.
Registration and nametags are required for all attendees.
• Upstate South Carolina Coin Show, Spartanburg SC. (named in past years). Security is
provided by South Carolina Constables and retired South Carolina State Troopers. Security
is vigilant in and out of the facility during set up and breakdown and is continuous during the
show. Officers are equipped with additional assault weapons and equipment at night.
Registration and nametags are required for all attendees.
• Virginia Beach Coin Show, Virginia Beach, VA . (named in past years). Security is
continuously provided by uniformed Virginia Beach Police. Unloading and loading of the
convention center is observed by a police presence and provides better than average security
for dealers. Registration and nametags are required for all attendees.
• Wasatch Winter Coin Club, Salt Lake City, UT . (named in past years). Security is
provided by off-duty uniformed Salt Lake County Sheriffs SWAT team deputies. Law
enforcement personnel continually walk the show floor to discourage shoplifting. In
122
addition, they monitor the entrances, and provide surveillance of the unloading and loading
of dealers’ vehicles.
• Weyers Cave, VA . (named in past years). Security is provided by off-duty plain-clothes
Augusta County Sheriffs deputies and court security personnel. Even though it is a small
show with just 40 tables, two officers are present during the show and during setup and
breakdown. Law enforcement personnel continuously monitor the entrances, loading, and
parking areas.
• Whitman Baltimore Coin & Currency Convention, Baltimore, MD . (named in past
years). Security is continually provided by private security and uniformed Baltimore City
Police. Unloading and loading is in a gated section of the convention center and provides
better than average security for dealers. Registration and nametags are required for all
attendees.
For more inf ormation and tips on security, I invite you to visit my website at www.Buttemut.org . Or
contact me by email at BUTTERNUT @Buttemut.org , or by regular mail at P.O. BOX 498, Clifton,
VA 20124-0498.
R8 QUIZ 140
Hugh Bodell
The coin in R8 quiz 126 from the January issue of Penny-Wise has the first hair style and a small
fraction. The nickname of this variety is "LIHERTY". With the last A in AMERICA far from the
stem, this is S.103. It has the reverse of '94. The other variety with this obverse, S.104 has a
medium fraction (compared to 1804) and the reverse of '97. The discovery coin of the terminal
die state with the cud at TY was found and reported in 1972. See Reiver/Heritage 1/24/06.
Last winter I took some coins from my safe deposit box to my office scanner and made some
images. Here's Hugh's R8 quiz 140: Are these large or small stars? Are these large or small
letters in the reverse legend? What is the leaf position at C on this one? What variety is this?
Where does a cud develop on this variety? What varieties of this date come with a cud? Which
variety of this date comes with the rarest cud? (The answers will appear in the July issue of P-W,
or every week with a new quiz on Region 8.) Enjoy!
123
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bruce Reinoehl writes,
Amen on your article on S-265. I bought Hiram Ward's coin from Denis Loring at EAC in 1979
with the idea that this "mere F-12 coin" should be easy to upgrade later. That has not happened
and my appreciation of that coin and the scarcity of the variety has continued to increase.
*
*
*
Bob Fagaly writes,
In the January 2012 issue of Penny-Wise (Volume XL VI, Number 1), there is a typo in my
article "The Sheldon Scale and Price-Grade Relationships in Large Cent Type Coinage." On
page 12, Table III, the Liberty Cap entry for C1981 (G-4) should be $47, not $447.
SWAPS AND SALES
EACers are invited to submit their ads for inclusion in this column. Ads up to twelve lines are
free. ADS LARGER THAN 12 LINES MUST BE SUBMITTED CAMERA-READY, AND
PAID IN ADVANCE. A full-page ad is $150. Graphic and halftone setup is an additional $60
per page. One-half page is $75. One-third page is $50. Ads should be limited to early American
Coppers or tokens. Deadline for material to appear in the July 2012 issue is June 30, 2012. All
ads must include the individual membership number of a current member in good standing. Copy
should be sent to the Editor, Harry E. Salyards, 606 North Minnesota Avenue, Hastings, NE
68901.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Early American Coppers, Inc. publisher of Penny-Wise, does not examine any of the material
advertised in Penny-Wise, nor does it review any of the advertising therein. Early American
Coppers, Inc. assumes no responsibility or liability for any advertisement (or the material
described therein) and no part shall have recourse against Early American Coppers, Inc. All
transactions arising or relating to any advertisement in Penny-Wise shall strictly be between the
parties thereto. Complaints concerning advertisers (or respondents) should be referred to the
President of Early American Coppers, Inc.; complaints may result in abridgment, suspension, or
terminations of membership or advertising privileges.
124
John D. Wright, EAC #7
1468 Timberlane Drive
St. Joseph, MI 49085
The CENT Book 1816-1839. The standard reference on this series.
Big, clear pictures, full discussions, easy attribution.
Lists at $125 plus postage.
Special to EAC members at $100 postpaid.
Please email us at theJohn@SBCglobal.net
Allan Davisson, EAC #3299 Cold Spring, MN 56320 (our complete address)
(320) 685-3835 fax (320) 685-8636 coins@davissons.net
EXCEPTIONAL COPPER FROM THE 1790s: British tokens and books about them. We
publish Dalton and Hamer, distribute the new 19th century copper token reference and stay in
close touch with the British token market. We offer hundreds of 18th century “Conder” tokens
each year as well as other series including 19th century copper, silver and (occasionally) gold
tokens, British medals, British copper currency and out-of-print and important books and
catalogs about tokens. Write for a free catalog.
Charles Davis, EAC #142 P.O. Box 547 Wenham, MA 01985
Numislit@aol.com
Sole distributor for United States Large Cents works by William Noyes:
United States Large Cents 1793-1794, all in color. New $195.00
United States Large Cents 1795-1797, all in color. New $150.00
1991 2 Volume set (1793-1814) and (1816-1839) $240.00
Add $10 shipping per order.
Bill McKivor, EAC #4180 P.O.Box 46135 Seattle, WA 98146
BmcKivor@iuno.com or Copperman@Thecoppercomer.com (206) 244 - 8345
Dealer in quality tokens at reasonable prices. Specialist in English “Conder” tokens, Evasions,
19th Century tokens, unofficial farthings, historical medals, and more.
Cobwright’s book on Evasion Tokens available at $27 postpaid.
Many EACer’s receive my free lists - get yours today.
Also - a work in progress - my new WEB SITE - www.Thecoppercomer.com.
125
Mabel Ann Wright, EAC #78 1468 Timberlane Drive St.Joseph, MI 49085
We still have some copies of The CENT Book 1816-1839.
Ask anybody who has one or has seen one— you want this book.
We are selling what we have to EAC members at $100 postpaid.
Please email us at theJohn@SBCglobal.net
Dick Varian, EAC #5099 1 56 Park Avenue Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(201) 746-0027 Dickl793@optonline.net
LARGE CENTS AND HALF CENTS FIXED PRICE LIST
Coins sent to EAC members on approval. Specialize in affordable collector coins. List updated
every six weeks or so.
Rod Burress, EAC #109 9743 Leacrest Cincinnati, OH 45215
(513) 771-0696
For Sale: #4 Soft Jeweler’s Brush $8.50 each
Jeweler’s Tissue, 4x4 sheets: box of 1000, $7.50; package of 250: $2.50
Xylol, 4 oz. bottle, plus 100 wooden stick Q-tips $4.00
Acetone, 4 oz. bottle, plus 100 wooden stick Q-tips $4.00
Wooden stick Q-tips: $4.50 per 500; $8.50 per 1000
Cast iron notary machine, unconverted, for the do-it-yourselfer $16.00
Heavy-duty 28 lb. Kraft 2x2 coin envelopes, in gray, white, or brown:
$5.50 per 100; $22 per 500; $42 per 1000. (Send SASE for samples.)
Cotton Liners, 100 percent soft cotton flannel interior; fit inside standard 2x2 coin
envelopes: package of 100 for $31. (Send SASE for sample.)
VIGOR lOx Triplet magnifying glass: very high quality optics — aplanatic, achromatic,
with extra wide 13/16 inch lens. The best glass on the market to my knowledge
for its size and price. $59 each, with cord.
Attribution Guide for Matron Head Cents, 1816-1835, approx. 37 pages $5.00
Add $9 per order for shipping ($10 Western states). Any excess will be refunded.
Shipping by UPS: You must give a street address.
126
Greg Heim, EAC #3619 P. O. Box 277 South Plainfield, NJ 07080-0277
(908) 405-6408
WANTED : Colonials, Half Cents, or Large Cents for consignment on eBay, which have a “per
lot” average of at least $150.00. I provide basic, straightforward auctions in a “no reserve”
format with excellent images and customer service. Please call or e-mail to request my fee
structure. Go to my website at www. gynandroidhead.com for more information.
PROVENANCE GALLERY OF 1 794 LARGE CENTS
Order your copy of the reference book featuring the most coveted and prolific date of the early
United States Large Cents.
An overview of the formation of the United States monetary system and the Philadelphia Mint as
well as the conditions surrounding the production of what many consider the ultimate
numismatic subject: The cents of 1794.
A brief history of large cent collecting and their collectors, descriptions of collectible obverse &
reverse designs, and colorful photographic plates of each coin featured in the 2004 EAC
Provenance Exhibit at the Early American Coppers San Diego convention. Prologue by John W.
Adams. $25.00 postpaid.
A1 Boka EAC #406 9817 Royal Lamb Dr., Las Vegas NV 89145
Tel: 702 809-2620 - email: eac406@aol.com - www.1794LargeCents.com
EARLY COPPER AUCTIONS
Bob Grellman, EAC #575 P.O. Box 161055 Altamonte Springs, FL 32716-1055
407-682-9592 (home) 407-221-1654 (cell) email: Liefferys@cfl.rr.com
Consignments for Auction: I am accepting consignments for all McCawley & Grellman
(M&G) auctions, including the annual EAC Sale and the three pre-Long Beach Convention
auctions we conduct in association with Larry and Ira Goldberg of Beverly Hills, California.
Call for details.
Late Date Large Cent Book: The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents 1840-1857 is
available for immediate delivery. Every known die variety and die state is fully described with
additional rarity information for rare die states. The book is hardbound with 464 pages and over
100 photos. Price is $100 postpaid. Autographed on request.
127
An Interesting Selection of 18 th Century British Tokens
Plus some Regal and Colonial Coins and a few Odds and Ends
Many tokens currently listed on our web site and inventory is updated frequently.
Please take a look - comments and commentary welcome.
Always in the market to buy — contact me at your convenience.
Gary Groll EAC #4814 CTCC— EAC— C4— ANA
4004 NW Witham Hill Drive #164, Corvallis, OR 97330
443.223.0399 — gary@grollcoins.com— www.grollcoins.com
Mike Shutty, EAC #2790
If you are a serious collector, I think you will like my book on collecting. If you have ever
wondered why we devote so much time and energy to studying the bits of copper we all love, I
think this book will get you started on a journey of self discovery. Check it out.
One Coin is Never Enough: How and Why We Collect.
My book is available directly from Krause Publishing or from Internet sellers like Amazon.com.
It is not expensive, and I think EAC members will like this book.
Jack H. Robinson, EAC #1308 P.O.Box 430 Centreville, VA 20122
E-mail is JHRHTR@AOL.COM (703) 830-8865 (24/7 number and has voice mail)
The 20 th Edition of CQR was introduced at EAC ’ 1 1 in Portland
The 20 th Edition of CQR in Spiral is $50, POSTPAID. Please make checks payable to
Jack H. Robinson, or to “M & R.” The January 1989 “Jack H. Robinson Sale Catalog” with
prices realized is available for $50 POSTPAID.
Delivery of the first batch of the 20 Edition of CQR uncovered some typos and
printing/formatting errors, none of which applied to the guideline valuations, and are cosmetic by
nature. Anyone wishing to have a “clean” 20 th Edition can return the one you have to me — I will
send a replacement & refund your postage by sending stamps with the replacement. Thank you.
Questions? Give me a call.
128
A New Publication on
Mew Jersey Coppers
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129
Denis Loring, EAC #11 Box 32115 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420
dwloring@aol.com
1800 S-212. VF-20+ (NGC XF-40), no significant defects, medium brown. Ex Reiver. CQR average is
$3000; this a bit better. $2000.
John Dirnbauer, EAC #571 P.O. Box 196 Thomaston, ME 04861-0196 207-354-3573
Email: iohn@iohndimbauercoins.com
I, along with my wife Mickey, will attend upcoming 2012 coin shows in Westford, MA on
Sunday, April 22. May 3-6 we will be at the EAC Convention in Buffalo, NY and then on
Sunday, May 27, we will be set up again at Westford, MA. June 28-July 1 we will be at the
Whitman Coin Expo in Baltimore. July 8 we will be in Auburn, MA and then in Brunswick,
ME on Sunday, July 15. If you need directions to any of these shows, please send me an email.
*1803 S254 R1 F15 Die State A with perfect obv. Even, medium brown in color. Strong hair
detail. Overall a pleasing, reasonably priced coin. Ex J.J. Teaparty. Average planchet. $375.
*1851N15 R2 Die State B NGCMS66BN. Golden tan with iridescent blue overtones similar
to proof large cents of the era. Lustrous, choice surfaces. A top five coin in CQR census.
Gorgeous. $1350.
Images are being added to our website. Check it out at www.iohndimbauercoins.com .
Henry T. Hettger, EAC #2349 P.O. Box 20 1 8 Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 979-1942
1798/7, S-150, R5 Close Overdate, Good details, corrosion, net AG-3 $110.
1798/7, S-152, Wide Overdate, XG details, bold curls, lightly corroded obverse and more
heavily corroded reverse. Appealing portrait. $450.
1799/8, S-188, ex-Yancey as Good-4, smooth brown with a couple of toning spots and a
couple of short scratches, strong LIBERTY and date $3500.
1801, S-219, Three Errors Reverse, VG-10 net VG-8 $295.
1807/6, S-273, EF-40 steel brown with lovely details, light obverse scratch $1000.
130
This collection will be one of the highlights
of our September 2012 Long Beach Auction
U.S. COIN SIGNATURE AUCTIONS
Visit u<rarms-
AC Convention
THE PHILLIP CLOVER
COLLECTION OF
U.S. LARGE CENTS
HERITAGE will be hosting a
HOSPITALITY SUITE
at the EAC Convention in the Wright Room.
FRIDAY, MAY 4TH 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SATURDAY, MAY 5TH 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SUNDAY, MAY 6TH 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
September Long Beach Consignment Deadline: July 27
To consign to one of our upcoming auctions, please call us:
800-872-6467 Ext. 1000
Free catalog and The Collector's Handbook ($65 value) for new clients.
Please submit auction invoices of $1000+ in this category, from any source. Include your contact information and mail to Heritage, fax 214-409-1425,
email CatalogOrders@HA.com, or call 866-835-3243. For more details, go to HA.com/FCO.
Annual Sales Exceed $800 Million | 700,000+ Online Bidder-Members
3500 MAPLE AVENUE • DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 • 800-872-6467 • HA.COM
DALLAS | NEW YORK | BEVERLY HILLS | SAN FRANCISCO | PARIS | GENEVA
HERTTCV3E
AUCTIONS
Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.: CA Bond #RSB2004175;
CA Auctioneer Bonds: Samuel Foose #RSB2004178; Bob Merrill #RSB2004177.
This auction subject to a 15% buyer's premium.
23861
1809 Cohen 2, Breen 3 (Normal Date)
Courtesy of an Anonymous EAC member
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